Animals that cannot be kept or are restricted
Animals whose private ownership is prohibited or restricted by Japanese law. If you find, rescue or are offered one, do not keep it; contact the offices below. Laws change, so always check the latest information with your municipality or the Ministry of the Environment.
Mammals
Raccoon
Legal basisDesignated Invasive Alien Species (Invasive Alien Species Act)
Keeping, transporting and releasing are prohibited in principle. New ownership is not possible. If you find one, contact your municipality.
Monkeys (imported as pets)
Legal basisInfectious Diseases Control Act (since 2005)
Import as pets is prohibited. Zoos and research facilities only.
Masked palm civet, giant flying squirrel, raccoon dog and other wild mammals
Legal basisWildlife Protection and Hunting Management Act
Capture and keeping without a permit are prohibited. Injured animals: contact the prefectural wildlife office.
Birds
Bulbuls, white-eyes, warblers and other wild birds
Legal basisWildlife Protection and Hunting Management Act
Capture and keeping are prohibited in principle (pet-keeping permits have essentially been abolished). Do not pick up chicks.
Penguins
Legal basisCITES / Act on Welfare and Management of Animals
Private keeping is practically impossible; water temperature, water quality and fish supply cannot be maintained at home.
Reptiles
Alligator snapping turtle, common snapping turtle
Legal basisDesignated Invasive Alien Species (Invasive Alien Species Act)
New ownership is not possible. Existing animals require a permit. Releasing is a crime.
Sea turtles
Legal basisAct on Conservation of Endangered Species / CITES / prefectural ordinances
Cannot be kept. Rescued animals: contact an aquarium or the local government.
Komodo dragon
Legal basisCITES Appendix I / Specified Animal
Private keeping is not possible.
Amphibians
Japanese giant salamander
Legal basisSpecial Natural Monument (Cultural Properties Protection Act)
Capture and keeping are prohibited. Hybrids: contact the local government.
Fish
Gar (alligator gar etc.)
Legal basisDesignated Invasive Alien Species (since 2018)
New ownership and release are prohibited. Existing animals require a permit.
Aquatic animals
Red swamp crayfish, red-eared slider
Legal basisConditionally designated Invasive Alien Species (since 2023)
May be kept, but release, sale and paid transfer are prohibited.
Invertebrates
Giant African land snail
Legal basisPlant Protection Act
Keeping and moving are prohibited. Beware of parasites (rat lungworm).
Highly venomous scorpions, spiders and centipedes (redback spider etc.)
Legal basisDesignated Invasive Alien Species / ordinances
Redback and brown widow spiders cannot be kept.
General
Specified Animals (crocodilians, large pythons, venomous snakes, bears, big cats, etc.)
Legal basisAct on Welfare and Management of Animals
Since June 2020, new keeping as pets is prohibited. Permits are granted only for research or exhibition.
Who to contact when you find or rescue one
Wild birds and mammals (injured, young, chicks)
Prefectural wildlife protection office (nature conservation division). Do not pick up chicks.
Designated Invasive Alien Species
Municipal environment office or the regional office of the Ministry of the Environment. Transport and keeping are prohibited, so call from where you are.
Escaped Specified (dangerous) Animal
The keeper must immediately notify the police (110) and the prefectural animal welfare office.
Suspected livestock epidemic (e.g. avian influenza)
Report to the Livestock Hygiene Service Center. Do not touch dead wild birds.