According to a new report from Animal Justice, in collaboration with the Japan-based Life Investigation Agency, Canadian horses exported to Japan for slaughter are facing dire conditions during transportation. The report utilizes documents obtained from the Japanese government and highlights disturbing trends from 18 shipments between September 2024 and September 2025. Notably, there were approximately 1,822 horses transported, with at least nine recorded deaths attributed to illnesses and injuries sustained during transit.

The investigation raises serious concerns about animal welfare practices in the international horse trade. Kaitlyn Mitchell, director of legal advocacy at Animal Justice, expressed her disappointment yet not surprise at these findings, emphasizing that such incidents have occurred previously. The data suggests systemic issues in how horses are handled during export, which could lead to significant health risks and fatalities. Advocacy groups continue to call for better regulations and oversight in this sector.

Global News has reached out to Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries for a response, but the report highlights a pressing issue faced by animal rights advocates in both Canada and Japan. The suffering of these horses during transport sparks a larger conversation about the treatment of animals in the slaughter industry and the responsibilities of exporting countries regarding animal welfare standards.