Japan applies the same rabies-control process to cats and dogs from the US. The order is what matters: microchip before the first rabies vaccination, a second vaccination 30+ days later, the FAVN titer blood draw after the second shot, then arrival only once 180 days have passed from that draw — land early and your cat is detained for the shortfall.
Minimum lead time: about 7 months (211 days). Japan's Animal Quarantine Service advises beginning about 7 months before arrival. For cats the chain is the same as for dogs: two rabies vaccinations, a blood draw, then 180 full days before your cat may land.
Going on vacation, not moving? The same timeline still applies. Japan makes no exception for tourists or short stays — these rules apply to every dog and cat entering the country, so a two-week holiday needs the same months of preparation as a permanent move. There is no short-stay shortcut.
The requirements, in order
Order matters — several steps are only valid if the earlier ones were done first. This is the same sequence the planner above turns into dated deadlines.
- ISO microchip implantedISO 11784/11785-compliant (15-digit) microchip, implanted BEFORE the first rabies vaccination. Same-day is acceptable only if the chip goes in first — a rabies shot given before the chip does not count and must be repeated.
- Rabies vaccination #1Inactivated or recombinant vaccine only (no live or mRNA vaccines), given at 91 days of age or older (date of birth counts as day 0), after the microchip.
- Rabies vaccination #2At least 30 days after the first (the first vaccination day counts as day 0) AND within the effective period of the first vaccination.
- Rabies antibody blood draw (FAVN/RFFIT) — starts the 180-day waitBlood drawn after the second vaccination and sent to a MAFF-designated laboratory; the titer must be ≥ 0.5 IU/ml. Your pet may only ARRIVE in Japan after 180 days have passed from the sampling date (sampling day = day 0, so day 181 at the earliest) and within 2 years of sampling.Arriving even one day early means detention at the Animal Quarantine Station for the shortfall. Ask your vet whether the draw can be done at the same visit as vaccination #2.
- Advance notification to Animal Quarantine ServiceNotify the AQS office at your port of entry at least 40 days before arrival (via NACCS or email). Dogs use the 'Notification of Import Inspection of Dog' form; AQS replies with an approval of import inspection.
- Pre-export clinical inspectionWithin 10 days before boarding, a veterinarian must confirm your dog is free of clinical signs of rabies and leptospirosis (cats: rabies only).
- Health certificate endorsed by USDA APHISGovernment-endorsed export health certificate (AQS recommends Japan's two-part Form A/C) covering the microchip, both vaccinations, the titer result and the clinical inspection. A private vet's certificate is invalid without the USDA APHIS endorsement — it must be in hand by arrival.
How a cat's process differs from a dog's
The dates are identical, but a few details are lighter for cats: the pre-export health certificate needs to certify freedom from rabies only (dogs also require leptospirosis), and while dogs are restricted to designated ports, cats may sometimes enter through other ports after contacting the relevant Animal Quarantine Station in advance. The advance-notification paperwork also differs slightly. None of this changes the timeline — the planner above dates every step for a cat.
Official sources
These are the only authorities on this route. If anything here disagrees with them, they win — and please tell us.
- MAFF / Animal Quarantine Service — Import dogs and cats into Japan (from non-designated regions)
- MAFF / AQS — Guide to importing dogs and cats from non-designated regions (PDF)
- USDA APHIS — Pet travel from the US to Japan
Rather have a professional handle the whole move? Pet relocation companies manage the vet visits, paperwork, and bookings end-to-end. (Referral placement — link to relocation partner here.)
Traveling internationally with a pet? Vet visits abroad are out-of-network by definition. (Pet insurance affiliate placement here.)
FAQ
- How long does it take to bring a cat from the US to Japan?
- About 7 months from a standing start — the same as for dogs. Microchip and first rabies shot now, second shot 30+ days later, titer blood draw, then arrival only after 180 days have passed from the draw date. The planner computes your exact dates.
- Is the process really the same for cats as for dogs?
- On timing, yes — microchip, two rabies vaccinations, titer, 180-day wait, 40-day notification. Cats' health certificate covers rabies only (not leptospirosis), and cats have more flexibility on ports of entry.
- Can I shorten Japan's 180-day wait for my cat?
- No. Arriving before day 181 means detention at an Animal Quarantine Station for the remaining days. Start the titer clock as early as possible instead.
Other cat routes
- USA → Australia~7 months lead · 10–30 days quarantine
- USA → Spain (EU)3–4 weeks lead · no quarantine
- USA → France (EU)3–4 weeks lead · category-1 breed ban
- USA → Portugal (EU)3–4 weeks lead · 48h arrival notice
- USA → Germany (EU)3–4 weeks lead · breed import ban
- USA → Italy (EU)3–4 weeks lead · no breed bans
- USA → New Zealand~6 months lead · 10-day quarantine
- USA → United Kingdom~3 weeks lead · no quarantine if compliant
- UK → Japan~7 months lead · 12-hour clearance if done right
- UK → Australia~7 months lead · 10–30 days quarantine
- UK → Spain (EU)3–4 weeks lead · AHC, not a passport
- Canada → USANo waiting period · just the CDC form + 6-month age
- Canada → Japan~7 months lead · 12-hour clearance if done right
- Canada → Australia~7 months lead · 10–30 days quarantine
- Canada → Spain (EU)3–4 weeks lead · AHC, not a passport
- USA → MexicoNo waiting period · screwworm cert for dogs (Aug 2026)
- USA → Dominican Republic~1 month lead · easy in, harder home for dogs
- USA → Brazil~3 weeks lead · easy in, harder home for dogs
- USA → Colombia~3 weeks lead · easy in, harder home for dogs
- USA → Argentina~3 weeks lead · no permit, no quarantine
- USA → Cayman Islands~3 months lead · titer test, no quarantine option