On March 8, 2023, at a House of Councillors Budget Committee meeting, Councillor Kusuo Oshima proposed a ban on the consumption of dogs and cats as companion animals.
We remember that Councillor Oshima was involved in the passage of the Veterinary Nurse for Companion Animals (VNCA) Act.
The Veterinary Nurse for Companion Animals will start in the field in April 2023. Companion animals here refer to dogs and cats as well as pet birds such as parakeets and canaries.
Let’s take a look at the exchange at the House of Councillors Budget Committee on March 8, 2023.
Councillor Oshima:
Do you know that laws banning the consumption of dogs and cats have been passed in the United States and Taiwan, and that momentum is rising in the United Kingdom and Germany as well?
Senior Vice-Minister of Environment Miki Yamada:
We are aware that the United States and Taiwan have laws against eating dogs and cats. We have also been informed that some members of the British and German parliaments are calling for an International Agreement to ban the eating of dogs and cats by their governments. Furthermore, we are aware that in Japan, there are some activities aimed at banning the consumption of dog and cat meat by signing petitions and other means.
Councillor Oshima:
From the perspective of animal protection and animal welfare, I believe that a law banning the consumption of companion animals is necessary. What are your thoughts on this?
Senior Vice-Minister of Environment Miki Yamada:
The Ministry of the Environment does not have jurisdiction over eating, but food culture in general is diverse, and we will carefully assess future discussions. The Ministry of the Environment hopes that this will encourage many people to think about this matter by spreading awareness of the concept of animal welfare and animal protection.
Councillor Oshima concluded his questioning by stating that he would like to develop a discussion at the future committee meeting based on the day’s answers.
It is both a surprise and a great joy for the World Dog Alliance that Mr. Oshima, who has been reinstated as a member of the House of Councillors, is now again calling for a ban on the consumption of dogs and cats.
Many members of the Japanese Diet laughed at Mr. Oshima when he mentioned the consumption of dogs and cats in the Diet for the first time in 2018. Five years have passed since then, and the questioning by Councillor Oshima has confirmed that our activities to legislate a ban on the consumption of dogs and cats and to make it an International Agreement are well known in the Diet.
Food culture around the world may be diverse, but in our country, dogs and cats are companion animals, beloved animals, and pet animals, never food. It is not our food culture, but it is a fact that we allow dog and cat meat to be served in our country.
We hope that the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) and the Ministry of the Environment, which advocate various animal-related laws, will work together to promote a legal ban on the consumption of dogs and cats.