TOKYO — Japan has launched its first nationwide survey of animal cafés as authorities take a closer look at animal welfare, hygiene and potential public-health risks in a rapidly growing industry.
The survey, which began in September, is examining how many animal cafés operate across the country, which species they keep, the conditions in which animals are housed and how customers are permitted to interact with them.
The review covers not only familiar cat and dog cafés but also establishments featuring exotic animals such as otters, owls and marmots, which have become attractions for both Japanese customers and international tourists.
Why Japan Is Taking a Closer Look
According to Takuya Ishikawa, an official at Japan’s Environment Ministry, the country does not have specific standards governing animal cafés and the handling of many exotic species. Animal welfare groups and government advisers have repeatedly raised concerns about the sector.
The government’s move follows research highlighting potential welfare and health concerns.
A study involving 25 animal cafés in Tokyo and Osaka found more than 1,700 animals, with 27% identified as threatened species. Researchers also found that more than 90% of the cafés displayed animals considered to pose a high risk of injury through contact. Samples from four cafés tested positive for enterohemorrhagic E. coli, according to Reuters’ report on the findings.
A separate peer-reviewed study examining 79 exotic animal cafés also reported low welfare scores across several categories, including environmental and nutritional provisions and opportunities for animals to display natural behavior.
The Exotic-Pet Trade Adds Another Layer
The scrutiny extends beyond the cafés themselves.
Research by WWF and Hokkaido University found that roughly three-quarters of about 80 registered wildlife cafés in Tokyo and Osaka were also registered to sell animals. Japan was also the world’s second-largest importer by value of live reptiles and mammals in 2024, according to a WWF report cited by Reuters.
That trade can raise concerns involving animal welfare, zoonotic disease and the possibility of invasive species being introduced when unwanted exotic pets are released.
Some Café Operators Support Tighter Rules
The prospect of stronger oversight has received support from some operators within the industry.
Syaina Nozaki, manager of an owl and otter café in Kamakura that houses rescued animals, said clearer regulations could help distinguish facilities that prioritize animal welfare from businesses focused primarily on profit.
Japan’s government also plans to increase public awareness about the potential risks associated with interacting with exotic animals.
For now, the nationwide survey is focused on gathering information. Officials say the findings could help determine whether further on-site investigations or additional oversight are needed.
As Japan examines an industry built around close encounters with animals, the survey could provide a clearer picture of what happens behind the increasingly popular café experience.
WWC ONE MEDIA G,A
