Notifications for Japan (1406 notifications)

The proposed maximum residue limits (MRLs) for Dimpropyridaz notified in G/SPS/N/JPN/1336 (dated 19 May 2025) were adopted and published on 18 September 2025.The specified MRLs are available as below:

To prevent the introduction of Bactrocera cucurbitae into Japan, MAFF has taken the emergency measure to prohibit the import of host plants of B. cucurbitae (specified in Item 3. of this notification) originated in the United Arab Emirates based on examination of the relevant documents listed in Item 10.

In order to prevent the introduction of High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus and Low Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (LPAI) into Japan, MAFF has taken import suspension measures based on Articles 37 and 44 of the "Act on Domestic Animal Infectious Disease Control" and other relevant requirements.

Revision of the standards for use for Potassium Metabisulfite, Sodium Hydrosulfite, Sodium Metabisulfite, Sodium Sulfite, Sulfur Dioxide, and Zinc Gluconate based on the change of use amount of target foods and  the revision of a target food name.

Japan will host the equestrian competitions of the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026, which will be held from 19 September to 4 October 2026. To facilitate the smooth cross-border movement of horses, the animal health requirements for horses competing in the Asian Games 2026 have been established. Under the requirements, the horses are required to stay only in countries/regions that have bilateral animal health requirements with Japan during the 60 days prior to the commencement of the 10-day pre-export quarantine before departure for Japan. These countries/regions have already undergone the required risk assessment procedures. Among these countries /regions, the horses are required to undergo the pre-export quarantine in a specific country/region, which was designated by the organizing committee for logistical reasons. Other details, including testing and vaccination requirements, are also set out in the requirements.

The proposed maximum residue limits (MRLs) for Cyfluthrin notified in G/SPS/N/JPN/1349 (dated 1 July 2025) were adopted.These amendments have been published in "KAMPO" (6 January 2026) (Official Government Gazette available in Japanese only).The date of entry into force: 6 January 2026 (milo and hay), 6 January 2027 (wheat and maize)Commodity (for feed)      Proposed MRL (mg/kg)      Current MRL (mg/kg)Wheat                                  0.2                                            2Maize                                   0.05                                          2Milo                                      3.5                                             2Hay                                      50                                              3Note:- Residue definition for enforcement: Cyfluthrin (sum of isomers).- Hay includes hay and fodder (dry), straw, forage (green) and silage. The MRL is set as 90% dry matter base.

The proposed maximum residue limits (MRLs) for Paraquat notified in G/SPS/N/JPN/1348 (dated 1 July 2025) were adopted.These amendments have been published in "KAMPO" (6 January 2026) (Official Government Gazette available in Japanese only).The date of entry into force: 6 January 2026 (wheat), 6 July 2026 (milo)Commodity (for feed)    Proposed MRL (mg/kg)   Current MRL (mg/kg)Wheat                                1.1                                           0.05Milo                                     0.05                                       0.5Note:- Residue definition for enforcement: Paraquat (paraquat ion).

The proposed maximum residue limits (MRLs) for Deltamethrin and Tralomethrin notified in G/SPS/N/JPN/1350 (dated 1 July 2025) were adopted.These amendments have been published in "KAMPO" (6 January 2026) (Official Government Gazette available in Japanese only).The date of entry into force: 6 January 2026 (oats, barley, wheat, maize, milo and rye), 6 January 2027 (hay).Commodity (for feed)       Proposed MRL (mg/kg)   Current MRL (mg/kg)Oats                                       2                                            1Barley                                    2                                            1Wheat                                   2                                            1Maize                                    2                                            1Milo                                       2                                            1Rye                                        2                                            1Hay                                        1                                            5Note:- Residue definition for enforcement: Sum of deltamethrin (including deltamethrin converted from tralomethrin), and metabolites CR[(R)-α-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl=(1R,3R)-3-(dibromovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate] and CT[(S)-α-cyano-3-phenoxybenzyl=(1S,3S)-3-(dibromovinyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate] converted to deltamethrin.- Hay includes hay and fodder (dry), straw, forage (green) and silage. The MRL is set as 90% dry matter base.

The proposed maximum residue limits (MRLs) for Chlorobenzilate notified in G/SPS/N/JPN/1352 (dated 1 July 2025) were adopted.These amendments have been published in "KAMPO" (6 January 2026) (Official Government Gazette available in Japanese only).The date of entry into force: 6 January 2026Commodity (for feed)    Proposed MRL (mg/kg)    Current MRL (mg/kg)Maize                                  - (withdraw)                         0.02

The proposed maximum residue limits (MRLs) for Fenitrothion notified in G/SPS/N/JPN/1351 (dated 1 July 2025) were adopted.These amendments have been published in "KAMPO" (6 January 2026) (Official Government Gazette available in Japanese only).The date of entry into force: 6 January 2026 Commodity (for feed)    Proposed MRL (mg/kg)    Current MRL (mg/kg)Oats                                    6                                             1Barley                                 6                                             5Wheat                                15                                            10Milo                                      6                                             1Rye                                      6                                             1Note:- Residue definition for enforcement: Fenitrothion.

MAFF will revoke designation of zinc bacitracin and calcium halofuginone polystyrenesulfonate as feed additives since these feed additives are no longer used, produced, imported or expected to be used in the future in/into Japan.

In order to prevent the introduction of African swine fever  (ASF) virus into Japan, MAFF has suspended the import of pig meat and products thereof from Spain, including those shipped through third countries, from on 28 November 2025 based on the "Animal health requirements for meat and viscera derived from pigs and sausages, ham and bacon made from the said meat and viscera as raw materials to be exported to Japan from Spain" and the Articles 37 and 44 of the "Act on Domestic Animal Infectious Disease Control".  Pig meat and products thereof derived from animals slaughtered on and after 30 October 2025, as well as live pigs, pig meat and products thereof transported from Spain to other countries on and after 30 October 2025 are not eligible to be exported to Japan, taking into consideration the incubation period of the ASF virus stipulated in the WOAH Terrestrial Animal Health Code.

To prevent the introduction of the Bactrocera dorsalis species complex into Japan, MAFF will take emergency measures prohibiting the import of fresh fruit of Fijian longan (Pometia pinnata (syn. Allophylus cobbe)), which is a host plant of Bactrocera dorsalis species complex originating in the country listed in Item 4.

The content of the amendment:Add infection with decapod iridescent virus 1 to the list of diseases subject to import quarantine for Penaeidae and Palaemonidae.Add Haliotis rubra and Haliotis laevigata to the list of target animals for infection with abalone herpesvirus.Since the above-mentioned diseases will become subject to import quarantine after the amended regulation enters into force, the exporting country and Japan will need to discuss the relevant risk management measures and establish the import requirements. Live crustaceans (Penaeidae and Palaemonidae), live molluscs (Haliotis rubra and Haliotis laevigata), and their aquatic animal products for aquaculture must then be accompanied by an appropriate health certificate to meet the bilaterally agreed import requirements upon importation into Japan.

In order to prevent the introduction of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) virus into Japan, MAFF  suspended the import of beef and beef offal from Germany, including those shipped through third countries, on 11 January 2025, based on the "Animal health requirements for beef and beef offal to be exported to Japan from Germany" and the Article 37 and 44 of the "Act on Domestic Animal Infectious Disease Control". Based on the information regarding FMD control measures in Germany, it was concluded that resuming imports of beef, beef offal from Germany would pose a negligible risk of FMD introduction into Japan.Therefore, beef, beef offal produced on or after 12 November 2025 are permitted for import, and G/SPS/N/JPN/1320 will be withdrawn on the date of circulation of this notification.

In order to prevent the introduction of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) virus into Japan, MAFF  suspended the import of raw milk and/or un-heated/un-treated milk products from Germany, including those shipped through third countries, on 11 January 2025, based on the  "Animal Health  Requirements  for raw  milk and/or  milk products  to  be exported  to  Japan from  Listed  countries" and the Article 37 and 44 of the "Act on Domestic Animal Infectious Disease Control". Based on the information regarding FMD control measures in Germany, it was concluded that resuming imports of raw milk and/or un-heated/un-treated milk products from Germany would pose a negligible risk of FMD introduction into Japan.Therefore, raw milk and/or un-heated/un-treated milk products produced on or after 12 November 2025 are permitted for import, and G/SPS/N/JPN/1321 will be withdrawn on the date of circulation of this notificationIn addition, MAFF has modified the listed countries which are defined in the “Animal Health Requirements for raw milk and/or milk products to be exported to Japan from Listed countries” and now Germany is included in the listed countries.

The revision of the specifications and standards of feeds and feed additives for phytase No. 2(8) as a feed additive, notified in G/SPS/N/JPN/1375 (dated 29 September 2025), will come into force on 1 December 2025.

This corrigendum is issued to correct the final date for comments of "21 November 2025. Comments only to updated MRLs (marked with black circles and/or white circles in attached annexes)", described in the notification G/SPS/N/JPN/1368 dated 22 September 2025, to "Not applicable", and proposed date of adoption and publication "As soon as possible after the final date of the comment period" to "In due course".We additionally inform you that the MRLs for commodities, except for 'pepper, dried' (marked with white circle: the commodity for which MRLs is to be raised), were made public in G/SPS/N/JPN/1303, the notified document to the WTO.

MAFF proposed revision of the Article 45 of “the Ministerial Ordinance for Enforcement of the Act on Domestic Animal Infectious Disease Control” to add an emu to the list of animals subject to animal quarantine with regard to Notifiable Avian Influenza in the notification G/SPS/N/JPN/1359.The revision of “the Ministerial Ordinance for Enforcement of the Act on Domestic Animal Infectious Disease Control” was published in Japanese Official Gazette on 29 September 2025. The revision will enter into force on 1 October 2026.

In order to prevent the introduction of High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus into Japan, MAFF has taken import suspension measures based on Articles 37 and 44 of the "Act on Domestic Animal Infectious Disease Control" and other relevant requirements.