FY2025 Pesticide Accident and Damage Report
Overview
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries investigated accidents and damage associated with pesticide use in FY2025. It recorded 16 human accident cases and 10 cases of damage to crops and other property in total (9 crop cases and 1 property case). The ministry outlined the main causes, asked prefectures to strengthen guidance to prevent recurrence, and described measures to promote proper pesticide use. The investigation will continue for FY2026 and beyond.
Key points
- There were 16 pesticide-related accident cases involving people and 10 cases of damage to crops and other property in total.
- There were 9 cases of crop damage and 1 case of property damage.
- The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries asked prefectures to strengthen guidance to prevent recurrence.
- The investigation will continue for FY2026 and beyond.
Overview
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries conducts an annual investigation in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare to understand the circumstances of accidents and damage associated with pesticide use and prevent recurrence through guidance on countermeasures. This investigation covered poisoning accidents involving people and damage to crops, livestock, and other items that occurred from April 2025 through March 2026. The ministry compiled the results after requesting information from all prefectures.
Details
The main causes of human accidents included insufficient protective equipment, missed coverage or tearing of soil fumigant (chloropicrin) sheeting, inadequate measures to prevent pesticide drift, and accidental ingestion due to improper storage. Crop damage was attributed to inadequate covering, leakage, and insufficient drift prevention. Property damage was attributed to inadequate advance notices to nearby residents, insufficient consideration of spraying times, inadequate notices such as signs, and insufficient measures to prohibit entry.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries advised storing pesticides in a secure, locked location; not transferring diluted solutions, residues, or similar materials into other empty containers; and wearing protective equipment. It also called for attention to wind direction and avoiding spraying in strong winds, using formulations less prone to drift or drift-reducing nozzles, and notifying nearby residents and other relevant parties in advance. For soil fumigants, it advised covering the treated area immediately with suitable materials and applying treatments in the morning or evening during hot weather. It also called for proper disposal of unwanted pesticides.
The ministry will send the investigation results to prefectures and ask them to strengthen guidance. It will also promote proper pesticide use through initiatives such as the Pesticide Hazard Prevention Campaign. The investigation will continue for FY2026 and beyond.