We would like to once again express our appreciation for the great cooperation of all relevant ministries
and agencies in preventing the entry of African swine fever (ASF), a serious infectious disease of livestock,
and the mandarin fruit fly, a serious pest of fruit trees and other plants.

With regard to animal quarantine, outbreaks of infectious diseases of livestock continue to occur throughout
Asia and Europe, including the first outbreak of ASF in Singapore in February of this year and the first confirmed
outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in South Korea in four years in May of this year, and the risk of such diseases
entering Japan is still high.

In addition, with regard to phytosanitary measures, the risk of pests and diseases entering Japan is increasing due to
the expansion of outbreaks of pests and diseases overseas, such as the outbreak of the mandarin fruit fly species group
from Asia to Africa and the Middle East, and the expansion of outbreaks of burns disease in South Korea.

Since the removal of entry restrictions last October, regular international passenger flights have gradually resumed,
and according to statistics from the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), the number of foreign visitors to
Japan has just recovered to 70% of the pre-Corona disaster level as of June of this year.
As the summer vacation period approaches, it is expected that not only foreign visitors to Japan but also many Japanese
tourists will be traveling to Japan.

In January of this year, one person was arrested for illegally bringing food into Japan, and the Animal Quarantine Service
and Plant Protection Station will conduct educational activities such as campaigns at various locations for outbound travelers
to ensure that they do not bring back food that they are not allowed to bring into Japan when entering Japan.
In addition, the Ministry will continue to strengthen publicity regarding the prohibition of agricultural and livestock products,
disinfecting shoe soles, and inspecting portable items and international mail. In addition, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry
and Fisheries will continue to strengthen publicity regarding the prohibition of the entry of agricultural and livestock products
into Japan, disinfecting shoe soles, inspecting portable items and international mail, etc.
We would like to ask your cooperation in preventing the entry of livestock infectious diseases and plant pests.

1. Do not bring meat products, fruits, vegetables, etc. from overseas to Japan, as they are strictly restricted by law
and cannot be brought into Japan, regardless of quantity or mode of transportation (baggage, personal effects, or mail).
2.  Illegal importation of meat products, fruits, vegetables, etc. into Japan is subject to heavy penalties
(imprisonment for not more than 3 years or a fine of not more than 3 million yen
(50 million yen or less in the case of corporations), etc.). 3. Make sure that family members and acquaintances
visiting Japan do not bring meat products, fruits, vegetables, etc. into Japan. [Reference]

○ Animal Quarantine Service website, “FAQ pertaining to Imported Animal Quarantine, etc.” https://www.maff.go.jp/aqs/topix/FAQaboutAnimalQuarantine.pdf ”
About souvenirs such as meat products (brought in)” http://www.maff. go.jp/aqs/tetuzuki/product/aq2.html ”
To prevent the entry of contagious diseases of domestic animals – Requests to those traveling abroad” http://www.maff.go.jp/aqs/topix/mizugiwa.html

○ Plant Protection Station website, ” Frequently Asked Questions (Bringing in from overseas)” https://www.maff.go.jp/pps/j/trip/oversea/faq/index.html ”
Quarantine is also required for plants (travelers (personal effects))” https://www.maff.go.jp/pps/j/ trip/keikouhin.html ”
Regulations for bringing in vegetables and fruits from overseas” https://www.maff.go.jp/pps/j/search/ikuni/index.html ”