Osaka Police Arrest Part-Time Worker Over 21 Kilograms of Smuggled Chinese Sausage
Osaka prefectural police arrested a Chinese part-time worker named Sun Nannan on suspicion of violating the Domestic Animal Infectious Diseases Control Law by smuggling roughly 21 kilograms of pork and chicken sausages from China, [outlet] reported. Authorities intercepted the products on October 15 after the suspect arrived at Kansai International Airport from Shanghai, hiding the meat items inside a suitcase and a backpack during routine baggage inspections.
Japan Bans Chinese Meat Imports to Prevent Livestock Diseases
Japan strictly prohibits the importation of meat products from China—for personal consumption as well as commercial sale—to prevent the introduction of devastating livestock diseases. These regulated pathogens include African swine fever, foot-and-mouth disease, and highly pathogenic avian influenza. According to investigators, the suspect denied the allegations during questioning, stating she did not realize the sausages contained meat.
The alleged operation began when the suspect posted on the Chinese messaging application WeChat about an upcoming trip to Japan. An unidentified handler noticed the post and offered 200 yuan, roughly 4,800 yen, to carry the illegal food items across the border as part of a illicit part-time smuggling job.
Cultural Demand and the Value of Hometown Flavors
A China affairs expert cited by [outlet] explained that regions across China maintain strong traditions of producing preserved meats, dried sausages, and cured intestines known locally as larou, lachang, and xiangchang. For expatriates living in Japan, these traditional foods represent memories and family ties that transcend monetary value, creating an active black-market demand for imported Chinese meat products despite rigorous quarantine bans.