Act on Welfare and Management of Animals (Act No. 105 of 1973).

The purpose of this Act is to engender a spirit for animal welfare among citizens and contribute to the development of a respect for life and sentiments of amity and peace by providing for the prevention of cruelty to animals, the proper handling of animals and other matters concerning animal welfare, as well as to prevent animals from causing an infringement on the life, body or property of humans by providing for matters concerning the management of animals. Article 2 establishes that the fundamental principle is that animals are living beings, no person shall kill, injure, or inflict cruelty on animals without due cause, and every person shall treat animals properly by taking into account their natural habits and giving consideration to the symbiosis between humans and animals. Section 2 lays down provisions relating to animal handling business. The text consists of 50 articles divided into 6 chapters as follows: General provisions (I); Basic guidelines (II); Proper treatment of animals (III); Measures taken by prefectures (IV); Miscellaneous provisions (V); Penal provisions (VI).