- 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)


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