Soldiers and local officials are set to slaughter about 4100 pigs in central Japan after the latest case of swine fever was confirmed, authorities said.
The Aichi prefectural government reported the 13th case of the fever in pigs since September. Japan had not seen the virus, also known as hog cholera, since 1992.
Tests confirmed the new case at a farm in Seto City after five pigs were found dead on Tuesday, an Aichi official told dpa.
The Aichi prefectural government has suspended shipments of pigs and transportation of feed crop and droppings from other facilities located within 10 kilometres of the Seto City farm.
Japan's first swine fever epidemic in 26 years was detected at a farm in neighbouring Gifu prefecture in September and the second case was reported in November at a Gifu public livestock park.
The slaughter will take place on Wednesday.
