On April 13, 2026, Japan Post issued a series of postage stamps commemorating the 41st World Veterinary Association Congress in Tokyo.  

The World Veterinary Association (WVA), founded in 1863, unites veterinary organizations from more than 100 countries. Its congresses are held every two years and are considered the largest international forums in veterinary medicine.

The 2026 congress will be held in Tokyo from April 21 to 24 under the theme "Animal Health for a Sustainable Future." More than 6,000 participants from 70 countries are expected, including veterinarians, scientists, educators, representatives of international organizations, and government agencies. The main topics of the congress will be infectious disease prevention, animal welfare, food safety, the development of veterinary technologies, and the "One Health" concept, which considers the health of humans, animals, and the environment as a unified system.

This is the second time this prestigious congress has been held in Japan. In 1995, it was held in Yokohama, and this year it will be held in Tokyo, Japan. The 2026 event is organized by the Japan Veterinary Medical Association (JVMA).

The miniature sheet issued by Japan Post has become a unique symbol of respect for the profession that protects the health of animals and people. The commemorative issue is a miniature sheet of ten stamps on self-adhesive paper. All the stamps are seamlessly integrated into the sheet design, creating a unified stylistic composition.

The stamps depict animals that veterinarians regularly work with. These include, of course, pets such as cats and dogs, as well as farm animals such as cows, sheep, pigs, horses, and chickens. A pair of red-billed cranes, colorful koi carp, and a Japanese honeybee add a touch of national flavor to the issue. The top of the sheet features the Congress logo, as well as Tokyo Tower, the symbol of the congress venue, and a unique monument in the form of an endless spiral called the One Health Carbon Gate, a symbol of the One Health project.

A horse stamp is depicted near the center of the small sheet. The horse, bridle-wearing, stands calmly in a green pasture. Several unique indigenous breeds have survived in Japan: the Kiso Uma, Misaki Uma, Yonaguni Uma, Miyako Uma, and others. Japanese horses are living monuments to the country's history. They developed in isolation on the islands and retained the traits of ancient East Asian horses. Today, all the indigenous breeds are considered quite rare, some numbering only a few dozen animals. These breeds are recognized as part of the national cultural heritage, and their preservation is an important national priority.

Artist Ayumi Yoshikawa created a simple yet pleasingly designed miniature sheet. She succeeded in vividly depicting the harmony between humans and animals, and also emphasizing the universal nature of the veterinary profession.

The stamps entered circulation on April 13, 2026. On that day, a special first-day cancellation was held at the Tokyo Central Post Office's Philatelic Salon and at several major post offices across the country.

Since the issue was directly linked to the international congress, the philatelic materials were of great interest to both collectors and veterinary forum participants who had come to Tokyo from all over the world.

Japan Post created more than just a commemorative issue to mark a professional event. The minisheet became a unique tribute to the people whose work, rarely in the spotlight, daily helps preserve the health of animals and, with it, the well-being of society.

You can find the technical details of the issue in the Catalogue.

Sources: www.post.japanpost.jp, wvac2026.com