Dog & Cat Microchip Registration Guide
Japan's microchip mandate effective June 2022. Ownership transfer within 30 days, the MOE database, fees, and timing.
⚠️Ownership transfer must be filed at the MOE database within 30 days. Late filing breaches the owner duty.
Overview
| Effective date | June 1, 2022 |
|---|---|
| Scope | Dogs and cats sold by breeders/pet shops |
| Breeder duty | Implant and register before sale |
| Buyer duty | File ownership transfer within 30 days |
| Registrar | MOE-designated registrar (Japan Veterinary Medical Assoc.) |
| Database URL | reg.mc.env.go.jp |
| Fee | ¥300 online / ¥1,000 paper |
| Penalty | Guidance / recommendation for non-compliance |
Registration Steps
Receive the registration certificate
The breeder is required to implant and register the chip. You receive a 'registration certificate' with the secret code for ownership transfer.
File ownership transfer at the MOE database
On reg.mc.env.go.jp, submit the transfer using the secret code and chip number. Deadline: 30 days after pickup.
Pay the fee
Online: ¥300; paper: ¥1,000 (card / convenience store / Pay-easy).
Receive the new certificate
Issued by PDF or mail. Reissue requires a fee — keep it safe.
Update on move / name change
Address, phone, name, deceased-owner changes done in the same database (free).
Why It Matters
Identification when lost or in disaster
Reader at vet/shelter immediately surfaces the owner contact.
Theft / abandonment deterrence
Owner-linked ID supports investigation.
International travel requirement
Mandatory for EU and many other countries. Use ISO 11784/11785 chips.
Supply-chain transparency
Traces from birth to final owner, helping eliminate bad-faith actors.
Technical Specs
ISO 11784 / 11785 standard. A unique 15-digit ID is assigned per individual. Insertion site: subcutaneous tissue between the shoulder blades (dogs and cats).
Passive RFID; no battery. Reader-based ID retrieval. MRI-safe in most cases (rare unreadability after high-field MRI).
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I miss the 30-day deadline?
Registration still possible; non-compliance with the Animal Welfare Act. No direct fine yet, but subject to guidance.
Is the chip painful or harmful?
Capsule of 1.2–2mm × 8–12mm; insertion pain comparable to a vaccine. Bio-compatible glass; minimal adverse events. No replacement needed.
What if a shop sells me a pet without a chip?
Selling dogs/cats without an implant has been illegal since June 2022. Confirm chip number and certificate before transfer.
Do I need to register a pet I had before June 2022?
Implantation is best-effort (no penalty) for pre-existing pets, but strongly recommended for lost-pet and disaster scenarios.
How does AIPO relate?
AIPO is private and separate; the MOE database is the legal registry. AIPO-only owners should additionally register at MOE (¥300).
How about imported pets?
ISO 11784/11785 chips are eligible. Register at MOE with the import quarantine documents.