Japan to survey animal cafes over hygiene, welfare concerns

Japan is set to investigate popular animal cafes, which allow visitors to interact with animals such as cats, capybaras, and snakes, due to hygiene and welfare concerns, authorities announced on Thursday. The country is home to hundreds of these cafes, but campaigners argue that the animals are often housed in cramped conditions and that the trend's popularity fuels the capture and illegal trade of rare wildlife.

An environment ministry official revealed that a fact-finding survey would commence as early as next month, beginning with gathering basic information like the number of establishments and the types of animals kept. The ministry will then assess whether the cafes adhere to relevant laws, including whether the animals have sufficient space and how frequently the facilities are cleaned. On-site inspections may be conducted if any non-compliance issues are detected.

The decision to launch the survey was prompted by recommendations from an expert panel on animal welfare. Animal welfare groups have long expressed concerns about these cafes, where visitors can pet and play with various animals such as micro-pigs, hedgehogs, owls, and snakes. A 2025 survey by World Wide Fund for Nature Japan found that some establishments house endangered species listed on the International Union for Conservation's Red List and species protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.

Insufficient hygiene management, lack of adequate handwashing facilities, and pathogenic bacteria detected through microbiological testing in multiple facilities were also highlighted in the report. Animal welfare advocates argue that these businesses prioritize customer entertainment over the animals' well-being, as they are exposed to constant handling, noise, flashing cameras, and interactions with strangers throughout the day.

Laila Imai, campaign coordinator in Asia for animal welfare group PETA, emphasized that while some cafes act as adoption centers for rescued cats and dogs, the constant stress and unnatural living conditions can be detrimental to the animals' health.