A new study on cross-cultural understandings of animal welfare in the UK and Japan has been published in Animal Welfare. The study was conducted by an international research team and co-authored by Mariko Kanamori, a JSPS postdoctoral research fellow at the Institute for the Future of Human Society.

Animal welfare originated in the United Kingdom and is defined as “the physical and mental state of an animal.” In recent years, increasing awareness of diversity and sustainability has brought animal welfare to the forefront of international attention. Animal welfare is grounded in fundamental principles commonly referred to as the “Five Freedoms”: freedom from hunger, , and thirst; freedom from fear and distress; freedom from discomfort; freedom from pain, injury, and disease; and freedom to express normal patterns of behaviour.

Based on a questionnaire survey of veterinarians and researchers in animal behaviour and animal welfare in Japan and the United Kingdom, the study found that professionals in both countries share broadly similar values regarding animal welfare. However, notable differences were observed in professionals’ views on , which influenced the animal management practices recommended in each country.

Animal welfare provides a foundational framework for a society in which humans and animals can coexist in positive and sustainable relationships. At the same time, reconciling animal welfare, a concept originally developed in the UK, with animal-related values and cultural traditions cultivated in Japan requires a careful and balanced discussion. By visualising similarities and differences between the UK and Japan, this study hopes to support informed dialogue on animal welfare across cultural contexts.

The full article is freely available here. The press release from Hokkaido University (Japanese) can be found here.

Reference: Otani Y, Kanamori M, Kato H, Dwyer CM. Cross-cultural variation in understanding of animal welfare principles and animal management practices among veterinary and animal welfare professionals in the UK and Japan. Animal Welfare. 2025;34:e55.