Japan is a country near and dear to my heart. Having visited multiple times, I wanted to make a post talking about Assistance Animals in Japan. Especially since the last time I went, I was on the hunt for Service Dog presence in the wild, and I did come across a few things which really inspired me. Because I have actually been to and lived in Japan, this blog post will most likely be more in depth than my Brazil post. Japan also appears to have more concrete laws regarding Assistance Animals compared to Brazil.
Firstly, let's talk about Japan's culture concerning dogs... It's no secret that Japan loves their pets. The country has just 17 million children under the age of 16, yet almost 20 million cats and dogs, according to the Japan Pet Food Association. Making it one of the few countries in the world to have more pets then children. Nevertheless, Japan has a lot of differences in views and opinions when it comes to pets then here in the States. For starters, it can be very difficult for someone to be able to find an apartment in Japan that allows pets. This is actually where the trend of dog and cat cafes came from, because of how the Japanese love animals but are unable to own any themselves. If you are able to find a place you can live and own pets, it's important to keep in mind the space and close proximity of Japan. Most Japanese homes and apartments' do not have yards, nor are dogs allowed in all parks. Walking is a must, but where your dog is allowed to urinate/defecate is strict. Because of this, many people in Japan pee-pad train their dogs. The walls in Japan are paper-thin, and the culture is very quiet. Large, energetic, and loud dogs are not a great fit in Japan due to his.
The import of dogs from out of country is one of the most difficult in the world. The main reason for this is Japan's eradication of rabies back in the 1950s and their
struggles with it in the past. Check out the USDA APHIS to learn about all the requirements regarding importation of animals to Japan. You can also get the information straight from the Ministry of Agriculture in Japan. The short of it: "To import dogs and cats from Non-designated regions, they must meet import requirements such as microchip implanting, at least two times rabies vaccinations, rabies antibody test, and 180-day waiting."
The Act on Assistance Dogs for Physically Disabled Persons was established to guarantee access to public facilities, stores, and hospitals for people with visual impairments using guide dogs. The law also stipulated that the owners must control the behavior and sanitation of their guide dogs and display a sign to inform others that the dog is a guide dog. The organizations breeding guide dogs are also held to high standards by this law. Approximately 1,000 guide dogs are active throughout Japan today. There are 11 guide dog breeding organizations in Japan that train between 130 and 140 guide dogs every year.
In Japan, the term "assistance dogs" for Persons with Physical Disabilities refers to "guide dogs", "mobility service dogs", and "hearing dogs" certified in accordance with the "Act on Assistance Dogs for Persons with Physical Disabilities". All other dogs are categorized as "pets" in Japan. "Mobility service dogs" are specifically defined as the dogs which support their users' physical disabilities due to impairment of motor function. Other service dogs which support their users' mental disorders, autism/emotional disorders, and epileptic disorders, etc. are not certified as assistance dogs in Japan.
While it is great that this law has now been established, it has one problem –it only acknowledges dogs certified in Japan. If your dog was trained in any other country, it is not considered certified in Japan and you will not be guaranteed access to public facilities, public transportation as well as private facilities, such as hotels, restaurants and shops, which are open to the general public.
Luckily, the Japan Guide Dog Association has stepped forward and now provides temporary IDs for foreign guide dogs. They require that people applying for the temporary certification be a graduate of a member organization of the International Guide Dog Federation. Processing the temporary certification can require a number of weeks and their information can be found here.
Remember, if you ever have legal questions regarding other countries, you can contact your country's embassy in order to learn more.
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