Japan Begins First Nationwide Survey of Animal Cafes Amid Welfare Concerns

Japan has begun its first nationwide survey of animal cafes as authorities seek to better understand how animals are housed and how they interact with visitors.

The survey covers cafes featuring both domestic animals, such as cats and dogs, and exotic species including owls, otters and other unusual animals that have become popular attractions for tourists and local customers.

A Popular Attraction Under Closer Examination

Animal cafes have become a distinctive part of Japan’s tourism and entertainment culture. Visitors can spend time in cafes where they are allowed to observe or interact with animals while having drinks or food.

However, concerns have grown over whether some facilities provide suitable conditions for the animals and whether close contact between people and exotic species could create health or safety risks.

The new survey is designed to give authorities a clearer picture of how widespread these businesses are and what kinds of animals they keep.

What the Survey Will Examine

Authorities plan to collect information about the number of animal cafes, the species being kept, the conditions in which they are housed and the ways visitors interact with them.

The survey will also include cafes with ordinary pets such as cats and dogs, rather than focusing only on exotic animals.

The government plans to use the findings to improve public awareness about the potential risks associated with interacting with unfamiliar animals.

Concerns About Rare Animals

Animal welfare groups and researchers have raised particular concerns about cafes that display exotic or threatened species.

A recent report by the World Wide Fund for Nature and Hokkaido University found that many wildlife cafes in Japan keep species that face conservation pressures.

Researchers who visited 25 cafes reported finding more than 1,700 animals. About 27 percent were species considered threatened.

Health and Safety Questions

Close contact between people and exotic animals can also create health risks.

Researchers found that many cafes displayed animals considered capable of causing injuries through direct contact. Samples from several facilities also tested positive for enterohemorrhagic E. coli, a type of bacteria that can cause serious illness.

Experts say the findings highlight the importance of hygiene and appropriate handling when people interact with animals.

Some Cafe Operators Welcome the Survey

Not all animal cafe operators oppose greater oversight.

Some businesses that already focus on rescued animals say clearer standards could help distinguish responsible operators from facilities that place greater emphasis on profit than animal welfare.

Operators also say consistent rules could make it easier for customers to understand which facilities follow appropriate care standards.

Japan’s Growing Exotic Animal Trade

The issue comes as Japan remains a major market for exotic pets. A recent report identified Japan as one of the world’s largest importers of live reptiles and mammals.

Researchers have warned that the trade can create additional risks, including the introduction of invasive species and the spread of diseases between animals and humans.

A New Look at Animal Cafes

The nationwide survey will give Japanese authorities their most comprehensive picture yet of the animal cafe industry.

For visitors, the survey could also provide more information about the animals they encounter and the conditions in which they are kept.

As animal cafes continue to attract tourists and local customers, Japan is now taking a closer look at how these unusual businesses balance entertainment, animal welfare and public health.

Sources

• Reuters — “Japan to survey animal cafes for first time over welfare and disease concerns” — September 30, 2026.
• World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) — Report on wildlife animal cafes and the exotic animal trade in Japan — September 2026.
• Hokkaido University — Research on animal cafes and wildlife welfare in Japan — 2026.