Dear Ishihara Hirotaka, Minister of the Environment for Japan,

<h3>Dogs and cats in Japan’s public shelters are still killed in carbon dioxide gas chambers called “Dream Boxes.” Investigations documented animals howling, clawing at walls, and collapsing during the 10–15 minute gassing process.</h3> <h3>Government data shows progress: euthanasia numbers fell from over one million dogs in the 1970s to about 3,000 dogs and 9,000 cats in 2022, but thousands are still killed every year.</h3> <h3>Minister of the Environment Ishihara Hirotaka has direct authority to change this.</h3> <h3>We demand he ban gas chamber euthanasia nationwide, require every shelter to publish full intake and kill data, fund national sterilization programs, expand rescue partnerships, increase adoption infrastructure, and establish independent oversight of every animal welfare facility in Japan.</h3>