Tokyo's Dog Complaints Bark Upward Amidst Pandemic and Remote Work

Tokyo's Dog Complaints Rise Amidst Pandemic

Tokyo's 23 wards are experiencing a surge in complaints related to pet dogs, primarily concerning excessive barking and improper waste disposal. This increase coincides with the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw a rise in dog ownership and more people working from home.

As of March 2024, Tokyo boasts the highest number of registered dogs in Japan, with 548,935 canines residing in the capital. A survey conducted by the Mainichi Shimbun revealed that the 23 wards received over 3,000 complaints annually about pet dogs, with the majority of grievances related to barking and waste mismanagement.

The pandemic appears to be a significant factor in this rise. The Japan Pet Food Association estimates that the number of newly adopted dogs nationwide jumped from 350,000 in 2019 to 416,000 in 2020. With more people working remotely, increased time at home led to heightened awareness of barking and other disturbances.

Noise complaints, constituting roughly half of all grievances, can have severe consequences, including sleep disorders. Under Japanese law, excessive barking can be classified as noise pollution, with court rulings requiring pet owners to prevent such disturbances and ensure proper training.

The Environment Ministry has established environmental noise standards, recommending sound levels below 55 decibels during the day and 45 decibels at night in residential areas. However, a dog's bark can reach 88 to 100 decibels, exceeding the noise generated by a vacuum cleaner or piano.

Whether barking constitutes noise pollution depends on whether it surpasses socially acceptable tolerance levels, known as "junin gendo." Persistent, uninterrupted barking is considered problematic. Attorney Torai Handa emphasizes the importance of informing pet owners about the nature of the disturbance to facilitate appropriate action.

Pet owners facing barking issues should remain calm when receiving complaints, documenting the date, time, and details of the issue. Addressing the problem effectively while considering the community's concerns is crucial for preventing further disputes.

With Japan's pet population nearing 16 million dogs and cats combined, surpassing the number of children aged 15 or younger, Handa emphasizes the importance of recognizing the "extremely important" relationship between pets and humans. He clarifies 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," Handa concludes.