All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association

What All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association does

The All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association (一般社団法人全日本錦鯉振興会) is a General Incorporated Association founded in 1970 and headquartered in Ojiya City, Niigata Prefecture — the historical birthplace of Nishikigoi. It serves as the primary industry body for Japan's koi breeders, dealers, and related product operators, with 522 member companies as of June 2024 (299 domestic members covering all Japanese prefectures and 223 overseas members across 46+ countries). Its core activities are the organization of three flagship annual exhibitions: the All Japan Combined Nishikigoi Show (Tokyo, January), the All Japan Young Koi Show (Himeji Castle, March), and the International Junior Koi Show (Ojiya, April), which together constitute the largest koi competition circuit in the world by entry volume. The association also administers the official 'Nishikigoi Breeder' (錦鯉飼育士) certification system, publishes the monthly magazine 'Gekkan Nishikigoi', operates member-only software tools (production certificate printing, member web auction, internet entry system), and maintains public directories listing 496 member entries and 314 retail stores.

The association's revenue model is built on recurring membership dues from breeders, dealers, and product operators; magazine subscriptions (¥1,540 per issue, ¥18,480 annually); certification fees (¥5,000 per new breeder); and member-exclusive merchandise (certified measuring instruments, branded Nishikigoi flag sets). It does not sell koi directly to consumers — distribution is conducted through its 522 member businesses. In February 2026 it launched the AJNPA AI Koi Show, an online competition that uses computer vision for hybrid AI-and-expert judging of koi photos and videos submitted via mobile app, extending the exhibition ecosystem to global hobbyists who cannot attend in-person events. The organization also markets through a tri-language website (Japanese, English, Simplified Chinese), an Instagram presence (@jnpa.info), a Facebook page, and a YouTube channel (@jnpa) that archives competition live streams.

The association operates within a government-embedded framework. The Governor of Niigata Prefecture serves as Chairman, the organization was legally restructured as a General Incorporated Association in May 2022, and it played a central role in Nishikigoi's October 2022 designation as Japan's official 'National Fish' (国魚) and its December 2022 classification as a key government export priority item. It is the sole authorized issuer of official Nishikigoi export health certificates and co-sponsors exhibitions with the Niigata Nishikigoi Council, the All Japan Airinkai, Ojiya City, Himeji City, and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. The Chairman of the Board is Mano Futoshi, who oversees a small secretariat operating from the Ojiya City Nishikigoi Promotion Center (completed October 1981).

Name

All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association

Legal name

General Incorporated Association All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association (全日本錦鯉振興会)

Website

https://jnpa.info

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association is a General Incorporated Association founded in 1970 that serves as Japan's primary industry body for koi breeders and dealers, organizing three flagship annual exhibitions, issuing export health certificates, administering breeder certifications, and representing 522 member companies across Japan and 46+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Ornamental Fish Industry Association Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Professional & Certification Expos Organizers (THAHABAD)

Keywords

• Nishikigoi industry association
• Koi exhibition management
• Breeder certification programs
• Ornamental fish trade body
• Aquatic livestock promotion

Headquarters

HQ city

Ojiya

HQ country

Japan

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Membership dues: The association is composed of koi breeders, dealers, and related product operators who pay membership dues. Membership spans domestic Japan (299 members) and overseas (223 members), totaling approximately 520-522 member companies. Domestic and overseas categories exist, with regional branch organizations covering all Japanese prefectures and multiple countries globally.
2. Official magazine 'GEKKAN NISHIKIGOI': Monthly official magazine containing association news, competition results, breeder and dealer interviews, hobbyist visits, and fish disease countermeasures. Sold at 1,540 yen per issue (tax included, shipping excluded) or via annual subscription at 18,480 yen (tax and shipping included).
3. Merchandise sales: Sale of association-approved measuring instruments (S/M/L sizes) and branded Nishikigoi flag sets (Kohaku/Taisho-sanshoku/Showa-sanshoku 3-piece set). Available exclusively to association members through the secretariat.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association is a General Incorporated Association that organizes Japan's three flagship annual Nishikigoi (ornamental koi) exhibitions — the All Japan Combined Nishikigoi Show, the All Japan Young Koi Show, and the International Junior Koi Show — and provides breeder certification, the official monthly magazine 'Gekkan Nishikigoi', association-branded merchandise, and member services including export health certification. Its membership spans approximately 522 koi breeders, dealers, and related product operators across Japan and 46+ countries.

Product overview

The All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association (全日本錦鯉振興会) operates as an industry organization for koi breeders and dealers with approximately 520 members. Its core offerings include organizing three major annual koi shows: the All Japan Combined Nishikigoi Show (held at Tokyo Ryutsu Center), the All Japan Young Koi Show (held at Himeji Castle Otemae Park), and the International Junior Koi Show (held in Ojiya City). The association also launched the AJNPA AI Koi Show, a new online competition using hybrid AI and expert judging. Supporting offerings include the Nishikigoi Breeder Certification system, the monthly magazine 'Gekkan Nishikigoi', merchandise (certified measuring instruments, koi banners), and member tools including production certificate printing, web auction, and internet entry systems.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• All Japan Combined Nishikigoi Show Japan's and one of the world's largest koi exhibitions, held annually in January at Tokyo Ryutsu Center. Awards champions the title 'Best Nishikigoi of the World.' Open to koi breeders, dealers, and hobbyists from Japan and overseas. The 53rd edition featured 1,889 entries.
• All Japan Young Koi Show Competition featuring medium-sized koi up to 63cm, primarily showcasing 2-3 year old koi. Held annually in March at Himeji Castle Otemae Park (since 2023). The 39th edition in 2023 featured 1,894 entries.
• International Junior Koi Show International competition for small koi under 36cm, hosted by the JNPA Niigata region. The 10th edition in 2023 drew 1,738 entries from 46 countries and regions.
• AJNPA AI Koi Show Online koi competition judged through a hybrid system combining AI trained on koi judging data with professional koi experts. Entrants register photos and videos of their koi via an app to compete globally. Launched February 21, 2026.
• Nishikigoi Breeder Certification (錦鯉飼育士) Certification system for koi breeders with advanced breeding technology and appreciation skills, recognized as excellent instructors for koi popularization. Available to domestic members and overseas applicants.
• Gekkan Nishikigoi (月刊錦鯉) Monthly Magazine Official monthly magazine containing association news, local show results, breeder and dealer interviews, hobbyist visits, and fish disease countermeasures. Sold at 1,540 yen per issue or via annual subscription at 18,480 yen.
• JNPA Certified Measuring Instruments (振興会公認測尺器) Association-certified measuring instruments available in S, M, and L sizes for measuring koi at competitions and farms. Sold exclusively to association members through the secretariat.
• JNPA Nishikigoi Flag 3-Piece Set (振興会錦鯉のぼり3点セット) 3-piece set of koi banners featuring Kohaku, Taisho-sanshoku, and Showa-sanshoku designs (45cm x 148cm). Sold exclusively to association members.

Quantifiable outcome

• The All Japan Combined Nishikigoi Show is recognized as one of the largest koi exhibitions in the world, with champion koi receiving the title 'World's Best Nishikigoi'
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered supporting and core.

• Kinsai Shuppan (株式会社錦彩出版)supportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Sponsors the International Junior Koi Show and is the publisher of the association's monthly magazine 'GEKKAN NISHIKIGOI', playing a key role in the association's communications and marketing.
• Kyorinh (株式会社キョーリン)supportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Sponsors the International Junior Koi Show. Kyorinh is a pharmaceutical company specializing in aquatic animal health products, supporting fish disease countermeasures and breeding quality in the koi industry.
• Japan Animal Pharmaceuticals (日本動物薬品株式会社)supportingGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Sponsors the International Junior Koi Show as a provider of veterinary pharmaceutical products for aquatic animals, supporting health management at competitions.
• Ojiya CitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Ojiya City hosts the International Junior Koi Show and co-sponsors it. As the location of the association's headquarters and the birthplace of the International Junior Koi Show, Ojiya City is a key local government partner.
• Himeji CitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Himeji City hosts the All Japan Young Koi Show at Himeji Castle Otemae Park (since 2023, 39th edition onward) and co-sponsors the event.
• Japanese Government (Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2022The Japanese government designated Nishikigoi as a key export priority item in December 2022 as part of its agricultural export expansion strategy. This government recognition enhances the association's international credibility and export facilitation efforts.
• Japan Ornamental Fish Promotion Business Association (日本観賞魚振興事業協同組合)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2022This association officially certified Nishikigoi as the 'National Fish' (国魚) in October 2022. It also jointly sponsors the All Japan Combined Nishikigoi Show.
• Niigata PrefecturecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Niigata Prefecture (represented by the Governor as Chairman of the association) is the principal governmental supporter. The prefecture co-sponsors all major exhibitions and designated Nishikigoi as the 'Ornamental Fish of Niigata' in May 2017. The prefecture is also a co-sponsor of the International Junior Koi Show.
• All Japan Airinkai (全日本愛鱗会)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Co-sponsor of the All Japan Combined Nishikigoi Show and the All Japan Young Koi Show. The Airinkai is an independent national organization of koi enthusiasts that supports major exhibitions.
• Niigata Nishikigoi Council (新潟県錦鯉協議会)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 1968Co-organizer of the All Japan Combined Nishikigoi Show. This is the oldest and most foundational partnership, as the council represents the primary koi-producing region's industry voice and co-founded the exhibition with the association.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@jnpa
• Facebookfacebook.com/jnpa.info
• Instagraminstagram.com/jnpa.info

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about All Japan Nishikigoi Promotion Association