(B) Concerning FCI Standard: Mr. Toyosaku Kariyabu

1. Introduction

 I would like to begin by reporting to those in attendance on the process leading to the establishment of FCI Standard for the Akita up to the present, so that it may serve as a reference for the current issue.

 Japan Kennel Club became an associate member of the FCI in 1963 (33 years ago) and a full member in 1979 (17 years ago) at tie General Assembly in Switzerland.

 I served on the General Committee representing the FCI Asia - Africa Section for fifteen years beginning in 1980 at the General Assembly in Amsterdam until June of 1995 (last year). During my term in office, the Standard for this breed were slightly flawed. The problems included mistranslations of official languages.

 In order to make quick improvements, we were advised fittingly by Dr. Paschoud, President of the FCI Standard Commission, Prof. Brass, President of the FCI Scientific Commission, who are in attendance today, and relied on the academic scholarship regarding the Japanese breeds of Prof. Triquet. I would like to take this opportunity to extend them our sincere thanks. On two occasions, we asked the General Committee !or the effort to review this matter.

 During this time, Japan Kennel Club held Special Japanese Breeds Shows in the two European countries of Germany and Sweden. These shows were intended to raise the understanding of this breed to a higher level, especially among breeders in each of the countries in Europe and the American continent. Further, reference material was distributed. and practical seminars were held. In addition, I personally as a judge, as such as I was able conducted an informational campaign in Germany, France, Hungary, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Sweden, Portugal, etc., and in the American section, Brazil, Peru, Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Canada, etc;, plus Australia in the Oceania section as well as the 10 AKU member countries in the Asian section.

 Next, dogs were provided free of charge to persons who had worked hard for many years in developing this breed as breeders in several countries. Today, I would like to say a word or two about those results.

 Further, every year to encourage interaction among various nations and have this breed recognized, we have been doing our utmost to invite judges to Japan, and furthermore, have been distributing the calendar for this breed. Nevertheless, some FCI countries in recent years have been confused regarding judging this breed because of the existence both the American typed Akita and the Japanese typed Akita, and have brought complaints concerning what should be done to the FCI Scientific Commission and the Standard Commission. Naturally, the General Committee was consulted.

 As a result, the following issues were debated: (1) Whether two varieties should be recognized; (2) Whether two different breeds should be recognized; (3) Could any other remedial measures be taken by Japan, the country of origin?

 I expressed concern to Mr. Hans Muller, President of the FCl why such a state of affairs had been reached. In order to get a consensus on AKITA problem, the following delegates were chosen: Mr. Hans Muller, President of the FCI, representing the Executive Committee, Prof. Brass, President of the FCI Scientific Commission and Dr. Paschoud, President of the FCI Standard Commission, representing the related committees, and also Mr. Kamisato, the Secretary General of the JKC, representing our Club. These four delegates held a meeting on August 14 in Zurich.

2. Agreement was reached an the following Items.

 a. The fundamental stance of the FCI according to Paragraph C of Article 2 of the Articles of Association is, “the observation of breed standards established by the country of origin, or countries of patronage of the respective breed (in cases where the breed no longer exists in the country of origin). Those standards must be recognized by the other countries as far as they are not in contradiction with the national law of those country.” Thus if there should be changes to these standards, a proposal from the country of origin must be throughout the FCI General Committee and the Standard Commission must be consulted. Therefore, proposals made by third party countries should neither be accepted nor debated.

 b. Twice in the past, the General Committee has reached the conclusion that "The Akita in the FCI Standard is the Japanese typed Akita only."

 c. If judges from each member country of the FCI understood the Standard for this breed enough, there would be no confusion in judging.

 d. Regarding the existence of the American typed Akita, what has been the historical background and what measures have there taken to establishment of those standards down to the present? Japan Kennel Club means to intends to pursue the optimal preserve this breed based on judicious discussions between the two countries concerned.

 e. We will also persist in broadly soliciting the opinions of breeders of various related countries who have worked hard for many years at improving this breed, and formulate suitable policies.

 (Note: A supplementary explanation of FCI standard will be given.)

 Mr. Hiddes, President of the Nederlandse Vereniging voor Nihonken, asked about the angulation of Akitas. The Chairman answered this problem should be discussed during the meeting.

COMPARATIVE TABLES OF AKITAS EXPORTED FROM JAPAN TO FOREIGN COUNTRIES

(After establishment of mutual agreement between AKC and JKC in November, 1992)

Interaction about the Akita with America in recent years

 1. At the present there are various explanations of the breeding of the Akita in America but officially in July of 1937 (59 years ago), the Ministry of Education presented Helen Keller with two puppies. This fact is noted in history. Subsequently, around the end of the Second World War (51 years ago), importing Akitas to America by the occupying army and dog lovers was accomplished.

 2. The Akita Club of America was founded in 1965 (31 years ago) by dog lovers. Then for seven years, independent registration certificates were issued. In October of 1972 (24 years ago), as a condition for fulfilling AKC registration standards, the Stud Book was transferred to the AKC. On April 1, 1973 (23 years ago), he breed was classified in the Working Group for AKC shows. Since then, regularly scheduled shows have been held.

 3. Since October of 1972 (24 years ago), registrations have been severely restricted. Unless dogs were bred based on the aforementioned Stud Book that had been transferred to the AKC, they could not appear in dog shows.

  4. During that period, the blank of registrations for the AKITA from Japan to America that ceased for twenty years erected a major obstacle to the development of this breed. This imposed very unfortunate circumstances on related persons.

 5. JKC and the AKC had been planning official exchanges for many years. Finally mutual agreements were reached on April6 , 1992 and we were certified as a foreign registration organization.

 6. The CKC (Canadian Kennel Club) on September 27 of the same year, following the AKC, reached mutual agreements.

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