New Guide on Pet Law Set to Release: Understanding Legal Issues Related to Pets

Understanding the Unique Legal Status of Pets

In recent years, the view of pets as members of the family has become increasingly prevalent in society. However, legal frameworks continue to regard pets as property. This incongruity has led to a rise in various legal issues concerning pets, spanning civil, criminal, administrative, and family law. Surprisingly, there remains a shortage of lawyers specializing in pet-related legal troubles, creating a gap that needs to be addressed.

With the aim of bridging this gap, the upcoming publication titled “Are Pets Merely Property? — A Q&A Guide on Pet-Related Legal Issues by Case Type”, authored by lawyer Nakama Hayato, will be released by Daiichi Hoki Co., Ltd. on December 2, 2025. This comprehensive guide is designed to clarify the intricacies of laws surrounding pets and offers practical guidance for legal practitioners.

Key Features of the Book

The book meticulously categorizes those legal issues where pets are involved by weighting them against typical cases handled by lawyers. Each category begins with a concise overview of relevant legal points and foundational elements. Following this, a Q&A section elaborates on the procedural flows of addressing these cases, equipped with real-world examples and judicial precedents to illuminate the practical approach on how to navigate these challenges.

The intention behind this structure is to facilitate a smoother assembly of legal strategies concerning the increasingly complex issues related to pets. By presenting Q&As that are scenario-based, readers get a clearer understanding of the flow of legal consultations involving pets. Whether it's divorce, damage compensation, inheritance, abuse, or protection orders, this book organizes various cases into typologies that systematically outline legal discussions and procedural steps.

Moreover, the book extensively references recent judgements from the Heisei era to the Reiwa period, providing insight into the prevailing trends observed in the courts. This will not only sharpen the knowledge of legal professionals but also enhance their preparedness when faced with questions surrounding pet-related legal affairs.

Who Should Read This Book?

This guide is particularly useful for:

- Lawyers who have faced uncertainty regarding legal issues involving pets during case engagements.
- Legal practitioners looking to specialize in pet law.
- Legal professionals, stakeholders in the pet industry, and members of animal welfare organizations interested in animal legal status.
- Academics and students of law focusing on the societal implications of animal legal standings.

Book Details

- Title: Are Pets Merely Property? — A Q&A Guide on Pet-Related Legal Issues by Case Type
- Author: Nakama Hayato
- Publisher: Daiichi Hoki Co., Ltd.
- Release Date: December 2, 2025
- Format and Pages: A5 size / 184 pages
- Price: 3,630 yen (inclusive of tax)
- ISBN: 978-4-474-04801-0

For purchase, please visit:

About the Author

Nakama Hayato was born in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture. After completing his studies at Hitotsubashi University Law School, he was registered as a lawyer in December 2012. In March 2015, he established Nakama Law Office and has since been an active attorney dedicated to the field of pet law, underlining his mission to promote a society where both humans and animals can thrive together, aptly termed as a “Pet Lawyer®.”

He works alongside numerous pet-related businesses, including veterinary clinics, pet hotels, breeders, pet shops, grooming salons, and manufacturers of pet food and supplements, providing support to over 60 companies as of November 2023. He owns a corgi named Koutarou.

For media inquiries, please contact Nakama Law Office.

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