On 22/1, Japan's FNN network released a video detailing animal and plant quarantine operations at Narita International Airport, Tokyo. Among the cases uncovered, the sophisticated concealment tactics of a female passenger from Vietnam drew particular attention from officials.
During the x-ray screening and manual inspection of the Vietnamese passenger's handbag, airport quarantine staff discovered a quantity of wool and rubber gloves stacked together. Upon closer examination, they found packages of cabbage and coriander seeds stuffed inside each glove.
Furthermore, the passenger concealed large nylon bags containing seeds at the bottom of a rubber glove box and within the crevices of an electronic device case.
Vietnamese traveler caught hiding vegetable seeds upon entering Japan. Video: FNN
At the same time, Japanese authorities also successfully prevented other passengers from intentionally bringing prohibited food items into the country. A passenger from Indonesia had wrapped 56 chicken sausages in multiple layers of black nylon. Chinese passengers also had various processed pork products, duck necks, and fresh fruits like pears and apples confiscated.
According to Japan's Plant Protection Act, all types of seeds and meat products are prohibited from entering the country without a quarantine certificate from the exporting nation. This regulation stems from concerns that dangerous pathogens, such as African swine fever, or invasive insects hidden in seeds, could cause severe damage to Japan's agriculture and native ecosystem.
A representative from the airport quarantine agency emphasized that sniffer dog teams are deployed for screening, complemented by enhanced multilingual translation tablet systems to ensure all passengers understand the legal regulations.
According to Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), individuals illegally bringing vegetables, plants, meat, or meat products into Japan could face imprisonment for up to three years or a fine of up to 3 million yen (approximately 505 million VND). For organizations or businesses, the fine can reach 50 million yen (about 8.4 billion VND). Cases deemed intentional may be referred to the police for criminal prosecution.
Hoai Anh (Source: FNN, MAFF)
