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Taking a pet out of Japan
There is no single rulebook for leaving Japan — the destination country sets the requirements, so the papers, tests and waiting periods depend on where you are going. Below are the 6 routes from Japan we have verified so far, covering Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. Every route page is checked against two official sources — the destination government's import rules and the export guidance for leaving Japan — and carries its own "last verified" date. How early you need to start depends on the route; see how far in advance to prepare, and how we check every rule.
Dogs leaving Japan
Dog: Japan → the United States
Yes — this is one of the easiest long-haul routes there is. Japan is a dog rabies-free / low-risk country for the CDC, so federally your dog needs only the free CDC Dog Import Form receipt, a microchip a universal scanner can read, and to be at least 6 months old. The step people forget is on the Japanese side: an AQS export inspection and export quarantine certificate before you fly.
Strict rulesDog: Japan → Australia
Yes — Japan is a Group 2 (rabies-free) approved country for Australia, so there is no rabies vaccination, no titer test and no 180-day wait. What makes this route strict is everything else: a DAFF import permit, an official identity declaration, three blood tests for dogs, dated parasite-treatment windows, and a mandatory minimum 10 days in post-entry quarantine at Mickleham, Melbourne. Plan on about 3 months, driven by permit processing.
Simple rulesDog: Japan → the United Kingdom
Good news: Japan is a listed country for Great Britain, so this is a short route. Your dog needs a microchip, a rabies vaccination (then a 21-day wait after the first one), a tapeworm treatment in the last 5 days, and a Great Britain pet health certificate endorsed by an official veterinarian in Japan. No blood test, no import permit, and no quarantine if the paperwork is right — but you must travel on an approved route, and Japan adds its own AQS export inspection before departure.
Cats leaving Japan
Cat: Japan → the United States
Yes — federally, the United States asks almost nothing for a pet cat: there is no CDC cat form, no rabies vaccination proof and no microchip or age rule. Your cat must simply arrive healthy and pass inspection. The real procedure is on the Japanese side: book the AQS export inspection at least 14 days ahead and leave with an export quarantine certificate.
Strict rulesCat: Japan → Australia
Yes — Japan is a Group 2 (rabies-free) approved country for Australia, so there is no rabies vaccination, no titer test and no 180-day wait. Your cat still needs a DAFF import permit, an official identity declaration, parasite-treatment windows, endorsed export certificates and a mandatory minimum 10 days in post-entry quarantine at Mickleham, Melbourne. Plan on about 3 months, driven by permit processing.
Simple rulesCat: Japan → the United Kingdom
Good news: Japan is a listed country for Great Britain, so this is a short route. Your cat needs a microchip, a rabies vaccination (then a 21-day wait after the first one), and a Great Britain pet health certificate endorsed by an official veterinarian in Japan. Cats need no tapeworm treatment. No blood test, no import permit, and no quarantine if the paperwork is right — but you must travel on an approved route, and Japan adds its own AQS export inspection before departure.