On April 30th, a resident was referred to prosecutors for continuing to feed pigeons and crows despite an order from Osaka City to cease the practice. This is reportedly the first criminal ruling of its kind in Japan.

Near JR Abikocho Station in Sumiyoshi Ward, Osaka City, a problem had plagued residents for many years…

Neighboring Resident:
"It's a real problem. Our laundry gets soiled, and when we try to ride our bikes, there's droppings on the seat."

"I've even had droppings fall on my head."

Reporter Chihiro Zoku:
"The pigeons suddenly took flight."

"That's incredible. A huge flock of pigeons."

The problem involves noise and droppings from pigeons and crows.

Reporter Chihiro Zoku:
"Birds are gathering around the man; he must be feeding them."

The suspected cause is feeding the birds by residents.

In this area, feeding by multiple residents has been a problem for over 10 years. The city had previously tried to scare away pigeons and crows by sending in hawks, their natural predators, but with little effect.

In 2024, the city finally issued an unprecedented order to residents feeding the pigeons to stop, and subsequently filed a criminal complaint with the Osaka Prefectural Police.

Approximately a year and a half after the complaint was filed...

On April 30th, the police referred one resident to the prosecutor's office on suspicion of violating the Animal Welfare Act.

The resident reportedly admitted to the charges during voluntary questioning by the police.

This is the first time in Japan that feeding pigeons has been referred to the prosecutor's office under the Animal Welfare Act, and if indicted and found guilty, the person could face a fine of up to 500,000 yen.

A city official stated that there are limitations to what local governments can do, as there is no law prohibiting feeding the pigeons itself.

Kenichi Amatatsu, Health Supervisor, Public Health Department, Health Bureau, Osaka City

"Emotional complaints will not be accepted (by the police), so we want to build up objective evidence and deal with each case one by one."

On the 1st, we visited the scene...

Tomoko Kimura, Reporter

"Previously, there were large numbers of pigeons in front of Abikocho Station, but today, perhaps due to the weather, there are none."

The city says this case is "just the tip of the iceberg," and that feeding by residents has been confirmed recently. Attention is focused on whether the city can protect residents' lives through legal judgment.

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