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All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association (JNPA)

By the koi.wiki editorial team · Updated

Key facts: The All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association (全日本錦鯉振興会, Zen Nihon Nishikigoi Shinkōkai), often called Shinkokai, is a Japanese organization of koi breeders, dealers and related businesses, with about 520 members in Japan and abroad[1][2]. It was established in January 1970 and now operates as a General Incorporated Association headquartered in Ojiya City, Niigata[3][2].
The All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association (JNPA) is a Japanese membership organization of koi breeders, dealers and operators of koi-related products whose main purpose is to enlighten and popularize the culture of Nishikigoi and to provide information on its production, sale and breeding[1]. As of the end of June 2024, the association reported 299 domestic members and 223 overseas members, for a total of 522 members[2].The organization grew out of the first All Japan Nishikigoi Show held in December 1968 at the Hotel New Otani Garden Hall in Tokyo, and was formally established as the All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association during the second All Japan Nishikigoi Show in January 1970[3][6]. It was incorporated as a general incorporated association in May 2020 and renamed the “General Incorporated Association All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association” in May 2022[2][3]. In the United States it operates under the name Shinkokai USA[4][7].

History

Preparations for a national koi show began in July 1968, led by figures including Hideo Miya (Miyakoya Shoten), who was encouraged by Mitsuo Takatsuki of Tokyo Color Koi to pursue a national-scale koi show and organization, together with Yoshio Isa of Maruyo Koi Farm and Hajime Watanabe of Jinbei[6]. The first All Japan Nishikigoi Show was sponsored by the Niigata Koi Association and held in December 1968, and the association itself was established in January 1970 at the second show[3][6].The organization has since marked numerous milestones, including the completion of the Koi Promotion Center in Ojiya in October 1981, publication of the official magazine "Gekkan Nishikigoi" from 1991, and placement of koi in the courtyard pool of the chairman of Japan's House of Representatives in April 2001[3]. The 36th All Japan Nishikigoi Show was canceled in 2004 due to a koi herpesvirus outbreak, prompting an International Nishikigoi Summit, and later that year an earthquake in Chuetsu, Niigata, caused serious damage to koi production areas[3]. More recently, in May 2017 nishikigoi was designated the "Ornamental fish of Niigata," in February 2022 the JAS standard defined terms and 21 basic varieties, and in October 2022 nishikigoi was certified as Japan's "National Fish" by the Japan Ornamental Fish Promotion Business Association[3]. In December 2022 the Japanese government added koi as a key export species[3].

Leadership and structure

As of the sources cited, the chairman of the association is Hanazumi Hideyo, Governor of Niigata, and the director is Mano Futoshi, who also serves as president and has described members as being composed of koi breeders, dealers and operators of koi-related products[2]. The association's address is listed as the Nishikigoi Promotion Center, 174-1 Hiu, Ojiya City, Niigata[2].Past chairmen, all serving concurrently as Governor of Niigata, include Watari Shirou, Kimi Takeo, Kaneko Kiyoshi, Hirayama Ikuo, Izumida Hirohiko, Yoneyama Ryuuiti and Hanazumi Hideyo, while past directors include Miya Hideo, Yosida Hiroshi, Tamaki Takehiko, Tani Teruo, Iituka Syouiti, Mano Senichi and Konishi Joji, and Hirasawa Hisashi[3].

Shows

The association hosts three show it describes as world-class every year: the All Japan Nishikigoi Show (also called the All Japan Combined Nishikigoi Show), the All Japan Young Koi Show, and the International Junior Koi Show[2][5]. It also conducts regional District Koi Shows in the Kanto and Kansai regions and Prefectural Koi Shows in individual prefectures, most of which are free to attend[5].The All Japan Young Koi Show traces back to the first Junior Koi Show held in March 1983 at Chuo Park Family Pool in Hiroshima, sponsored by the All Japan Airinkai; from its 39th edition in 2023 it has been held at Himeji Castle Otemae Park, and it allows koi from 12 cm (4.7 in) up to 63 cm (24.8 in)[6]. The International Junior Koi Show was created to accommodate smaller koi under 36 cm (14 in) suited to aquarium keeping, with its first event in 2013; the 10th edition in 2023 drew participants from 46 countries and regions[6].According to the association's published show schedule, the All Japan Combined Nishikigoi Show is held in January at the Tokyo Ryutsu Center, the All Japan Young Koi Show in March at Himeji Castle Otemae Park, and the International Junior Koi Show in April at Ojiya City Gymnasium Community Plaza[8]. Nishikigoi at these and other association shows are judged on "body shape," "quality," and "pattern," with body shape particularly emphasized, favoring a solid skeletal structure and plump body[5]. See also the general guide to how koi are judged.

Publications and services

The association publishes an official monthly magazine, "Gekkan Nishikigoi" (Monthly Nishikigoi), first issued in 1991, which carries schedules of koi shows and related information[3][5]. It maintains a membership directory, publishes a Nishikigoi export health certificate list, and offers registration of koi farms and product code retrieval for members[9].The association has also established a "koi breeder" qualification system; those who obtain it are recognized as having a high degree of breeding technique and appreciation and serve as instructors for popularizing koi[1]. In buying guidance aimed at the public, the association distinguishes "breeders" who breed koi, "retailers" who buy and sell koi, and "breeder-retailers" who do both, and it recommends buying from retail stores affiliated with the association to help ensure quality and health standards, noting potential disease concerns with online purchases[5]. Readers can consult general guidance on breeders, dealers and importers.

International activities

Beyond Japan, the association promotes koi culture worldwide and holds reviews internationally, and it operates a US affiliate known as Shinkokai USA[1][4]. Shinkokai USA lists both USA and international koi shows, describing them as featuring top breeders, international judges and award-winning nishikigoi[7].At the 1st Asia Cup Koi Show, held in Singapore from 2 to 4 May 2008, judging panels included six senior judges from the Zen Nippon Airinkai (ZNA) and six senior judges from the All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association, referred to there as "Shinkoukai," alongside five judges from participating countries, reflecting international cooperation between the two major Japanese koi organizations[10]. See also the All Asia Cup Koi Show.

JNPA compared with ZNA

The JNPA (Shinkokai) and ZNA are two separate Japanese koi organizations. ZNA states its original club, Oita Airinkai, was founded on 11 February 1962, with Zen Nippon Airinkai starting on 11 May 1968 and later authorized by the Japanese government as a Shadan Hojin in 1983 and an Ippan Shadan Hojin in 2013[11]. By comparison, the JNPA traces its origin to the first All Japan Nishikigoi Show in December 1968 and its formal establishment in January 1970[3][6].ZNA describes its purpose as contributing to the enrichment of Japanese culture and the improvement of people's artistic sentiments through promoting nishikigoi keeping, appreciation and its beauty, and organizes its work into divisions covering promotion and publishing, koi shows, international activities, koi keeping, and appreciation and judging[11][12]. The JNPA's stated main purpose is to enlighten and popularize the culture of nishikigoi and provide information on production, sale and breeding[1]. Both organizations appear together on international show calendars, such as ZNA's listing that references the All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association[13]. For further comparison of koi organizations, see the overview of koi clubs and associations and the page on Zen Nippon Airinkai (ZNA).

Views on koi value and the industry

In material aimed at prospective buyers, the association states that the probability of a koi reaching a price in the millions of yen is less than 0.01%, making such koi exceptionally rare, while most koi offered for sale range from a thousand to ten thousand yen, with some priced under a thousand yen[14]. The association frames even modestly priced nishikigoi as valuable individually, since no two koi are alike, and directs prospective keepers to its member shops[14].Nishikigoi has become one of Japan's leading export products and was added to the Japanese government's list of key export items in December 2022, according to the association's chairman[2][3]. For broader context on pricing and the industry, see how much do koi cost? and the koi industry and exports.

Common questions

What does JNPA stand for and what is it?
JNPA stands for the All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association, a Japanese organization of koi breeders, dealers and related businesses, sometimes referred to as Shinkokai[1][4].
When was the JNPA founded?
The association was established in January 1970, growing out of the first All Japan Nishikigoi Show held in December 1968[3][6].
How many members does the JNPA have?
As of the end of June 2024, the association reported 299 domestic members and 223 overseas members, for a total of 522 members[2]; an earlier association page cited a total of about 520 members[1].
What shows does the JNPA organize?
The association's three major shows are the All Japan Combined Nishikigoi Show, the All Japan Young Koi Show, and the International Junior Koi Show, along with regional district and prefectural shows[5][2].
How is the JNPA different from ZNA?
Both are Japanese koi organizations with separate histories: ZNA's predecessor club began in 1962 and ZNA itself in 1968[11], while the JNPA (Shinkokai) was established in 1970 following the first All Japan Nishikigoi Show in 1968[3]; the two organizations have cooperated on international judging panels, such as at the 1st Asia Cup Koi Show[10].

References

  1. ^ About All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association - All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association. All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association. jnpa.info/en/about/. Retrieved November 2026.
  2. ^ Message from the President / Overview of the organization - All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association. All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association. jnpa.info/en/about/profile/. Retrieved November 2026.
  3. ^ History of the All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association - All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association. All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association. jnpa.info/en/about/history/. Retrieved November 2026.
  4. ^ Introduction of Nishikigoi - Shinkokai USA Official Website. Shinkokai USA (JNPA). shinkokaiusa.com/introduction-of-nishikigoi. Retrieved November 2026.
  5. ^ Q&A - All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association. All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association. jnpa.info/en/qa/. Retrieved November 2026.
  6. ^ History of Nishikigoi show - All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association. All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association. jnpa.info/en/show/history/. Retrieved November 2026.
  7. ^ Koi Shows - Shinkokai USA Official Website. Shinkokai USA (JNPA). shinkokaiusa.com/koi-shows. Retrieved November 2026.
  8. ^ Schedule of the Nishikigoi Show - All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association. All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association. jnpa.info/en/show/schedule/. Retrieved November 2026.
  9. ^ Membership list - All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association. All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association. jnpa.info/en/about/member/. Retrieved November 2026.
  10. ^ 1st Asia Cup Koi Show press release, 29 April 2008. yumpu.com. yumpu.com/en/document/view/47645378/1st-asia-cup-koi-show-inaugural…. Retrieved November 2026.
  11. ^ What’s ZNA | Zen Nippon Airinkai. Zen Nippon Airinkai. zna.jp/en/about-en/. Retrieved November 2026.
  12. ^ Works and Activities of the ZNA Divisions | Zen Nippon Airinkai. Zen Nippon Airinkai. zna.jp/en/division-2/. Retrieved November 2026.
  13. ^ Show Calendar | Zen Nippon Airinkai. Zen Nippon Airinkai. zna.jp/en/show-calender/. Retrieved November 2026.
  14. ^ Valuable reasons - All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association. All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association. jnpa.info/en/nishikigoi/reason/. Retrieved November 2026.