TLDR: Japanese airlines require metal kennels for certain large and working breeds on domestic routes and departures from Japan. Domestic Japanese airlines also impose seasonal restrictions on snub-nosed breeds during summer months. These are airline rules, not import bans. Every breed can enter Japan provided all standard import requirements are met. Confirm requirements directly with your airline before booking any leg of the journey.
Japan does not ban any dog breed from import. Every breed can enter the country provided the standard import requirements are met. However Japanese airlines impose their own rules on top of the import requirements, and for certain breeds those rules affect what type of kennel your dog must travel in and whether they can travel at all during summer months. Here is what applies and to which breeds.
Japanese airlines require metal kennels for certain large and working breeds on domestic Japanese routes and on flights departing from Japan. Confirm whether your breed requires a metal kennel directly with your airline before booking.
The metal kennel requirement applies to the airline's domestic network and departures from Japan. It does not affect international arrival into Japan on a foreign carrier.
Domestic Japanese airlines impose seasonal restrictions on snub-nosed breeds during summer months. Confirm current embargo dates and whether your breed is affected directly with your airline before booking.
This embargo applies to domestic Japanese airlines on domestic routes. It does not automatically apply to international carriers on international routes. However international carriers impose their own breed restrictions and seasonal embargoes. See below.
The metal kennel requirement and domestic embargo are Japan-specific airline rules. International carriers operating routes to Japan impose their own separate breed restrictions.
ANA does not accept brachycephalic breeds on any international route between May 1 and October 31. The affected breeds include Bulldog, French Bulldog, Boxer, Shih Tzu, Boston Terrier, Bull Terrier, King Charles Spaniel, Tibetan Spaniel, Brussels Griffon, Chow Chow, Pug, Chin, and Pekingese.
JAL does not accept French Bulldogs or Bulldogs on any flights.
These are international carrier rules confirmed from official airline sources. They are separate from the Japan domestic airline rules above.
Airline breed policies and kennel requirements change. Before finalizing any booking involving a dog on or near any of these lists, confirm directly with each airline:
Do not assume a policy from a previous move still applies. Confirm every leg directly.
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No breeds are banned from entering Japan. The metal kennel requirement and seasonal embargoes are airline rules, not import bans. Your dog can enter Japan regardless of breed provided all import requirements are met.
The metal kennel requirement applies to domestic Japanese airlines and departures from Japan. International carriers have their own separate breed and kennel policies. Confirm requirements directly with your international carrier before booking.
It depends on the carrier and the route. ANA does not accept brachycephalic breeds on international routes between May 1 and October 31. Domestic Japanese airlines impose seasonal restrictions on snub-nosed breeds during summer months. Confirm current embargo dates and acceptance directly with your airline before booking.
Japanese airlines require metal kennels for certain large and working breeds. If your dog is a Shepherd mix, confirm with the airline whether the requirement applies to your dog specifically. Do not assume it does not. Confirm directly.