Japan Expands Online Veterinary Services for Livestock Amid Vet Shortage
Online veterinary exams for livestock are becoming more common across Japan, particularly in rural areas like Hokkaido, where veterinary care is strained by a shortage of large animal practitioners. The initiative, supported by Japan’s Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry, is aimed at improving access to care in remote regions while easing the burden on overextended veterinarians.
In Hokkaido, farms can span great distances, requiring veterinarians to travel hundreds of kilometers each day. The introduction of remote medical exams offers a practical alternative. These online consultations allow vets to assess livestock via tablet or smartphone, enabling faster diagnosis and treatment.
At a recent demonstration on a dairy farm in Ebetsu, Hokkaido, veterinarian Shota Tominaga guided farm owner Norihiko Kobayashi through a virtual checkup of one of his cows using a tablet device. Based on the cow’s symptoms, Tominaga diagnosed hypocalcemia and directed Kobayashi on how to administer the proper medication.
The digital platform, developed by Tokyo-based SB Technology Corp., allows farmers to schedule appointments through the software or the popular Line messaging app. Consultations are conducted in real time, with medical records stored securely in the cloud. Currently, 71 veterinary clinics in Hokkaido have adopted the system. Between June 2024 and May 2025, the platform facilitated about 330 consultations involving cows and horses.
The benefits extend beyond convenience. In addition to saving time and fuel, remote exams help limit the spread of infectious diseases by reducing the number of farm visitors. The ministry hopes this shift will also reduce overall veterinary costs.
Veterinarians like Tominaga, who sometimes visit as many as ten farms in a single day, say the system helps them use their time more effectively. “Most of my working hours are spent driving,” he told The Japan News/Asia News Network. “As this system reduces travel time, I think I’ll be able to treat illnesses more quickly.”
To support this shift, Nosai Hokkaido—the region’s agricultural mutual aid association—plans to implement a predictive system by the end of the fiscal year. This would allow pre-distribution of medications to farms, enabling immediate treatment following a virtual diagnosis.
However, the success of this initiative depends on farmers having access to the necessary technology and training. They will need to understand how to use digital tools and administer treatments under veterinary guidance.
Other regions are following suit. Nosai Okinawa has adopted the system, and similar efforts are underway in the Kyushu and Tohoku regions.
The vet shortage remains a significant issue nationwide. Of the 40,455 individuals with veterinary licenses in Japan as of 2022, about 40% worked with pets at animal hospitals, while only 4,460 served in large animal practice. To encourage adoption of remote veterinary services, the ministry expanded insurance coverage to include online exams starting in fiscal year 2023.
Despite challenges, officials believe virtual care will play a growing role in sustaining Japan’s livestock industry. Shigeru Nakao, head of Nosai Hokkaido’s livestock department, expressed optimism about the future. “I believe online exams will be conducted more and more,” he said.
Original story on The Japan News/Asia News Network
