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Japan

Animals must be individually identifiable by microchip. Upon arrival in Japan, the number of the animal's microchip will be checked against the number on the certificate issued by the responsible government agency of the country of export. If the animal is not fitted with an ISO compliant (11784 / 11785) microchip, the owner has to provide a microchip reader. After the microchip is implanted the animal needs to be immunized against rabies with an inactivated vaccine at least twice (the interval between vaccinations has to be over 30 days and within the valid period of immunity of the first vaccination). Please note that rabies vaccinations given before an animal reaches the age of 90 days or before the animal has a microchip are not valid.

Following the second rabies vaccination, the animal has to be serologically tested for rabies antibodies at a laboratory approved by the Japanese Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. The results of that blood test must be 0.5 IU/ml or above. Animals have to wait at least 180 days between the day the blood sample is taken and the day the animal arrives in Japan. The blood test result concerning rabies antibody level is valid for two years. Please make sure that the animal arrives in Japan within two years of the blood test. If the vaccination expires after the blood test and prior to arrival in Japan, the animal has to be revaccinated. Animals must be inspected and it has to be confirmed that they do not have or are not suspected of rabies (and in the case of dogs also leptospirosis) prior to departure (whenever possible, no more than two days before departure). The importers need to obtain a health certificate issued by the responsible government agency of the country of export stating the previous details.

For more detailed information and import submission forms see:
http://www.maff.go.jp/aqs/english/index.html