法人別リリース

Animal Quarantine Service Uncovers Foreign National Attempting to Bring Livestock Products into...

Animal Quarantine Service, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries — Wed, 15 May 2024 16:00:00 +0900

TOKYO, May 15, 2024 /Kyodo JBN/ --
Animal Quarantine Service, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Japan
Animal Quarantine Service Uncovers Foreign National Attempting to Bring Livestock Products into Japan Illegally

Last year, the Animal Quarantine Service (AQS) uncovered a foreign national who illegally brought meat such as sausages containing pork, which are prohibited from being imported to Japan from overseas, into Tokyo International Airport, and recently there was a case where the foreign national was arrested by police for violating the Act on the Prevention of Infectious Diseases in Livestock.

Logo:
https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M105725/202405090540/_prw_PI4fl_1R0LZ99G.jpg

Photos
A quarantine detector dog working at the airport:
https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M105725/202405090540/_prw_PI1fl_7f3BSICI.jpg

Prohibited goods brought in illegally:
https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M105725/202405090540/_prw_PI2fl_3J47r7uI.jpg

Bringing meat products into Japan is strictly prohibited, even if such products are sold in stores:
https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M105725/202405090540/_prw_PI3fl_NMTJ0xhm.jpg

In order to prevent the entry of infectious livestock diseases, it is prohibited by Japanese law to bring into Japan meat such as pork, chicken and beef as well as meat products such as sausages and hams from many countries and regions, including Asia, regardless of the quantity or mode of transportation.

Anyone who attempts to bring meat products into Japan illegally will be subject to "imprisonment for not more than 3 years or a fine of up to 3 million yen (up to 50 million yen for businesses)."

Although outbreaks of African swine fever, a disease with a high fatality rate that infects pigs and boars, are spreading in other Asian countries, no cases of this disease have been reported in Japan. In an effort to prevent outbreaks of this disease in Japan, AQS inspects baggage and international mail coming in from overseas, using quarantine detector dogs.

AQS will continue to respond strictly to violations of the law and thoroughly implement border control measures. When traveling or sending mail to Japan, please do not bring meat products that are prohibited from being imported into the country.

Animal Quarantine Service, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Japan: http://www.maff.go.jp/aqs/languages/info.html

*Please check the English version and simplified Chinese version at the links below.

English version: http://www.maff.go.jp/aqs/english/product/import.html

Simplified Chinese version: http://www.maff.go.jp/aqs/languages/bring_meat_cn.html

Japanese Animal Quarantine Service Confirms NIAH's Isolation of ASF Virus from Illegal Philippine...

Animal Quarantine Service, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries — Mon, 02 Nov 2020 16:00:00 +0900

TOKYO, Nov. 2, 2020 / Kyodo JBN / --
Animal Quarantine Service, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Japan
Japanese Animal Quarantine Service Confirms NIAH's Isolation of ASF Virus from Illegal Philippine Pork

- Prevent Incursion of African Swine Fever into Japan, Maximum Fine of 3 Million JPY for Individual -

On September 9, 2020, gene of African swine fever (ASF) virus was confirmed as a result of the gene test (PCR) carried out by Animal Quarantine Service (AQS), Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Japan, on pork sausages illegally brought into Japan by a passenger from the Philippines.

Logo:
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M105725/202010266217/_prw_PI3fl_GVHYh968.jpg

Photo1:
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M105725/202010266217/_prw_PI2fl_YwggcMts.jpg

Photo2:
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M105725/202010266217/_prw_PI1fl_KGhrNoe1.jpg

Photo3:
https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M105725/202010266217/_prw_PI4fl_0aIRJiuW.jpg

Live virus was also isolated from the products as a result of virus isolation carried out by the National Institute of Animal Health (NIAH), the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization (NARO). With this, it is proven, again, that infectious ASF virus has reached the border of Japan.

The pork sausages, brought on a flight departing Manila, the Philippines, on August 31, was a part of souvenirs. After a quarantine detector dog at Haneda airport found the meat products, AQS disposed of them as prohibited import products, and a part was sent for testing.

AQS has been testing for gene of the ASF virus on pork products illegally brought by international passengers since August 2018, and this is the 89th case found to be ASF gene positive and is the third case that the infectious ASF virus is isolated.

Animal products including ham, bacon, jerky, sausage, processed meat products, etc., are prohibited to be brought into Japan, regardless of volume, in accordance with the Act on Domestic Animal Infectious Diseases Control.

AQS will continue to strengthen import inspection of animal products to prevent the incursion of ASF through international passengers and parcels by utilizing quarantine detector dogs at international airports and post offices.

Violators shall be punished with imprisonment for a term of up to 3 years or a fine of up to 3 million JPY. Business corporations shall be punished with a fine of up to 50 million JPY. Passengers with illegal animal products may also be denied permission for landing in Japan.

Animal Quarantine Service, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Japan: http://www.maff.go.jp/aqs/english/product/import.html

Source: Animal Quarantine Service, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Japan

Animal Quarantine Service of Japan Announces Arrest for Illegally Bringing Animal Products ...

Animal Quarantine Service, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries — Thu, 12 Mar 2020 15:00:00 +0900

TOKYO, Mar. 12, 2020 /Kyodo JBN/ --
Animal Quarantine Service, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries JAPAN
Animal Quarantine Service of Japan Announces Arrest for Illegally Bringing Animal Products from Taiwan
- The first case of a Taiwanese arrested -

The Animal Quarantine Service, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of JAPAN (AQS) announced that a Taiwanese woman has been arrested for bringing animal products which is prohibited by law from Taiwan into Japan.

Logo: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M105725/202003097815/_prw_PI6im_53l574h0.jpg

Images: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/release/202003097815?p=images

Since August 2018, AQS has been strengthening control measures against illegal imports by baggage of passengers from overseas in response to the prevalence of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Asian countries. Although ASF has not been detected in Taiwan, Taiwan is regarded as a country where malignant infectious diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease has occurred, and Japan prohibits imports of meat and meat products from Taiwan.

This is the first case that a Taiwanese national has been arrested for violating the Domestic Animal Infectious Diseases Control Law. She tried to smuggle pork and chicken blood from Taiwan. AQS at Chubu International Airport filed a complaint with the police, which led to the arrest.

The number of illegally imported meat product cases from Taiwan in 2019 was 5,972, ranking 4th after China, Thailand and South Korea. Since many tourists come from Taiwan, it is a serious problem for them to illegally bringing meat products into Japan.

Illegal imports of meat products are subject to "imprisonment for up to 3 years or a fine of up to 1 million yen." Eight people have so far been arrested in five cases, including this case.

Animal Quarantine Service of Japan:
https://www.maff.go.jp/aqs/languages/info.html (English)
https://www.maff.go.jp/aqs/languages/bring_meat_cn_han.html (traditional Chinese)

Animal Quarantine Service of Japan Announces Arrest for Illegally Bringing Animal Products from Thai

Animal Quarantine Service, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries — Fri, 14 Feb 2020 15:00:00 +0900

TOKYO, Feb. 14, 2020 /Kyodo JBN/ --
Animal Quarantine Service, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries JAPAN
Animal Quarantine Service of Japan Announces Arrest for Illegally Bringing Animal Products from Thailand
- Outcome of Stricter Quarantine Measures by Japan against Illegal Imports of Animal Products -

The Animal Quarantine Service, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries JAPAN (AQS) has announced that a Thai national was arrested for bringing sausage from Thailand into Japan, which is prohibited by law.

(Logo: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M105725/202002106607/_prw_PI5lg_abkFPuN1.jpg)

(Images: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/release/202002106607?p=images)

Since August 2018, AQS has been strengthening control measures against illegal imports by baggage of passengers from overseas in response to the prevalence of African swine fever (ASF) in Asian countries. AQS has further adopted stricter measures against violators since April 2019. As international sports events will be held in Tokyo this summer, AQS has to strictly respond to violations and take thorough measures at the border in response to an increase in foreign visitors.

The latest case is the fifth arrest in violation of the Domestic Animal Infectious Diseases Control Law and the second case of a Thai citizen arrested.

The Thai national in the latest case was given a written warning on November 10, 2019, because he illegally tried to bring sausage containing pork from the Kingdom of Thailand. Despite the warning, he committed another offense at Narita International Airport as he attempted to smuggle 10.45 kg of sausage on November 25, 2019. AQS at Narita International Airport filed a complaint with police, which led to this arrest.

Illegal imports of meat products are subject to "imprisonment for up to 3 years or a fine of up to 1 million yen." Eight people have so far been arrested in five cases, including this case.

Animal Quarantine Service of Japan:
https://www.maff.go.jp/aqs/languages/info.html (English)
https://www.maff.go.jp/aqs/languages/bring_meat_th.html (Thai)

Japan Imposes Stricter Animal Quarantine Measures on South Korea

Animal Quarantine Service, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries — Wed, 25 Sep 2019 14:00:00 +0900

YOKOHAMA, Japan, Sept. 25, 2019 /Kyodo JBN/ --
Animal Quarantine Service, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries JAPAN
Japan Imposes Stricter Animal Quarantine Measures on South Korea
-Measures against First African Swine Fever Case Reported in South Korea by Animal Quarantine Service, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries JAPAN-

In reaction to an African swine fever (ASF) case in the South Korean province of Gyeonggi, Animal Quarantine Service, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries JAPAN (hereinafter AQS) in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, has strengthened inspections of passenger baggage from South Korea and kept a vigilant eye on any ASF incursion.

(Images:https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/release/201909201099?p=images)
(Logo: https://kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M105725/201909201099/_prw_PI5lg_Gn8H5FE1.jpg)

African swine fever is a contagious disease affecting pigs and brings devastating damages to the livestock industry. After the first case in Asia found in China in August 2018, the AQS has been strengthening inspections of passenger baggage from affected countries in Asia, and detected infective ASF viruses from pork meat products carried over to Japan in March 2019. Furthermore, the AQS has applied the penalty more stringently than ever before since April 2019 to passengers who bring in illegal animal products into Japan, resulting in arrests of several illegal importers of animal products.
Since South Korea is geographically close to Japan and personal exchanges between the two nations are so active -- almost 1/4 of foreign visitor were Koreans in 2018 -- the ASF in South Korea can increase the risk of ASF intrusions into Japan. Under these circumstances, Japan has decided to tighten its border measures for passengers from South Korea.

If one brings meat products illegally, an imprisonment of up to three years or a fine up to 1 million Japanese yen could be imposed.

Japanese Animal Quarantine Service: http://www.maff.go.jp/aqs/languages/info.html