TOKYO -- Tokyo's 23 wards receive more than 3,000 complaints annually about pet dogs, primarily concerning excessive barking and improper disposal of feces and urine, according to a Mainichi Shimbun analysis, with the COVID-19 pandemic contributing to the rise in complaints.

As of March 2024, Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare reported some 6,054,519 registered dogs nationwide, with Tokyo accounting for 548,935 of them, or about 9% -- the highest in the country. The Mainichi surveyed Tokyo's 23 wards, which make up around 70% of the capital's population, about complaints and consultations received between fiscal years 2019 and 2023.

Among the 21 wards that categorize complaints specifically for dogs -- excluding Shinagawa and Ota, which group dogs and cats together -- the majority of grievances involved issues like waste mismanagement and noise disturbances from barking. The number of complaints has trended upward: 3,012 in fiscal 2019, 3,983 in fiscal 2020, 3,152 in fiscal 2021, 3,427 in fiscal 2022 and 3,760 in fiscal 2023.

COVID-19 and rising dog ownership

This rise in complaints is believed to be linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Japan Pet Food Association estimates that the number of newly adopted dogs nationwide increased from approximately 350,000 in 2019 to 416,000 in 2020, during the pandemic. Since then, the figure has remained at around 400,000 annually.

A Chiyoda Ward official overseeing the issue explained that the shift to remote work during the pandemic resulted in people spending more time at home, which not only led to an increase in dog ownership but also heightened awareness of barking and other disturbances. "People are more likely to notice noise like barking because they are at home for longer periods," the official said.

Noise complaints and legal implications

Noise complaints, which account for about half of all grievances, sometimes include reports of severe consequences like sleep disorders.

Torai Handa, an attorney on the Tokyo Bar Association's Special Committee on Pollution and Environmental Matters, explained that barking can sometimes be classified as noise pollution under Japanese law. There have been court rulings requiring pet owners to prevent excessive barking and ensure their dogs are properly trained.

The Environment Ministry has set environmental noise standards to protect public health, recommending sound levels in residential areas remain below 55 decibels during the day and 45 decibels at night. A dog's bark, however, can reach 88 to 100 decibels -- louder than a vacuum cleaner or piano playing.

Whether barking constitutes noise pollution depends on whether it exceeds socially acceptable tolerance levels, known in Japan as "junin gendo," or the degree of inconvenience that must be endured in daily life. Persistent, uninterrupted barking is considered problematic. Handa emphasized that pet owners should be informed as specifically as possible about the nature of the disturbance to take appropriate action. If direct communication is difficult, alternatives such as written letters or involving a lawyer can be effective.

Pet owners themselves may face difficulties managing barking. Common triggers include passing vehicles or stress from insufficient exercise. Handa advised pet owners to remain calm when receiving complaints, suggesting they document the date, time and details of the issue and address it to the best of their ability. Taking the surrounding community's concerns into account is crucial for preventing further disputes.

Japan's pet population is estimated to be nearing 16 million dogs and cats combined, surpassing the number of children aged 15 or younger.

Handa noted that legal precedents in Japan recognize the relationship between pets and humans as "extremely important." He clarified that barking exceeding environmental noise standards does not automatically make it illegal.

"It is vital for pet owners and neighbors to properly share information and work together to create a harmonious coexistence between people and pets," he said.

(Japanese original by Hiroya Miyagi, Digital News Group)