Basic Rule

Animal Welfare and Management Law

　The purpose of this law is to prevent the abuse and abandonment of animals, to increase the number of people who take good care of animals so that they can live a healthy life, and to let everyone know the importance of animal life.

　It also aims to set standards for how animals should be cared for, to eliminate the number of people whose lives are made difficult by animals, and to create a society where humans and animals can live in harmony.

Article 2

　In light of the fact that animals are living beings, no person shall destroy, injure, or inflict cruelty on animals without reason, and every person shall treat animals properly by taking into account their natural habits and giving consideration to the symbiosis between humans and animals.

Article 3

　The national and local governments must make efforts to promote the protection and proper management of animals through educational and public relations activities in schools, communities and homes, in accordance with Article 2.

Article 4

　Be Kind to Animals Week, a week to promote the protection and proper management of animals, has been designated as September 20 through September 26.

　The national and local governments must make efforts to hold events appropriate to the purpose of the week.

Article 41-2

　When a veterinarian, in the course of his/her duties, discovers the corpse of an animal that appears to have been killed without reason or an animal that appears to have been injured or abused without reason, the veterinarian must promptly notify the prefectural governor and other relevant organizations.