Japan to Ban Import of Select Pathogens

Japan is preparing to revise its customs law to more strictly limit the import of 12 deadly pathogens, including anthrax, Ebola, plague, SARS and smallpox, the Daily Yomiuri reported today (see GSN, Oct. 21, 2005).

The Finance Ministry expects this month to submit to lawmakers a bill amending the Customs Tariff Law. If passed, it would take effect in this fiscal year.

Violations would carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a fine of more than $260,000, or both, according to the Finance Ministry.

While barring individuals infected with any of the 12 diseases from entering the country, Japan’s Quarantine Law does not authorize customs officers to seize pathogen cultures transported as cargo. Under the new law, researchers would have to seek special government permission to import the restricted agents for experiments.

The Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry plans to submit a bill next year that would revise Japan’s Infectious Disease Law, which bans possession and production of the pathogens, the Yomiuri reported (Daily Yomiuri, Jan. 10).

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