Akita in Crisis: Japan Sees Steep Decline in Registrations of its National Treasure
Japan Data
Environment・Nature・Biology Society 2024.09.28
The Akita dog is designated as a national natural monument and is popular overseas. However, the number of animals kept in Japan has decreased dramatically over the past 50 years. The Akita Inu Preservation Society, a public interest incorporated association, has announced that the number of newly registered dogs in 2023 is 1,832. It was less than one-twentieth of its peak (1972), and the lowest since records were kept in 1971.
Akita Inu is a type of Japanese dog native to Akita Prefecture. Its roots date back to the early Edo period in the 1630s, and it is said to have been created by breeding dogs used for matagi hunting (an ancient bear hunting tradition in northern Tohoku) with indigenous dogs. They are classified as large dogs, with an average height of 60 cm and a weight of 30 to 50 kg.
The Akita Inu Preservation Society (headquartered in Odate City, Akita Prefecture) was established in 1927 with the aim of preserving the bloodline of the Akita Inu, which had become a mongrel during the Meiji period. In addition to having branches in every prefecture in Japan, there are 11 clubs overseas, including the United States, France, Russia, China, and Taiwan, and they carry out promotional activities such as issuing pedigrees and organizing exhibitions. Every year, we tally the number of new registrations (number of dog registrations) in Japan and overseas.
According to the association, during the Pacific War, the number of Akita Inu dogs decreased dramatically due to orders from the military to capture them, and by the end of the war, there were only about a dozen dogs left, and they were in danger of extinction. After that, thanks to the efforts of dog lovers, breeding progressed, and in 1972, the number of dogs reached 46,225. However, after peaking in the same year, the number began to decline, dropping to 2,038 in 2011. The reasons behind this include an increase in demand for small dogs due to changes in the housing environment, the aging of breeders who breed dogs, and a lack of successors.
The success of the movie “HACHI” (released in 2009) starring Richard Gere sparked an Akita dog boom overseas, and although the number recovered to 6,671 in 2017, the decline in domestic numbers has not stopped. However, the number of animals in 2023 was 1,832, which was lower than 2011 (1964) and set a new record.
The Akita Inu, also known as the “loyal dog Hachiko,” is very loyal to its owner, but on the other hand, it is said to be a “one-owner dog” that is not very friendly to anyone other than its owner. There are many cases where animals are abandoned midway through the breeding process or brought to health centers where they are killed.
“ONE FOR AKITA” (Akita City), a general incorporated association established in 2018, aims to increase the number of Akita Inu dogs kept in Japan and eliminate euthanasia.The organization protects abandoned Akita Inu dogs and places them in new foster homes. In order to allocate the financial resources to transfer the animals to other residents and raise them in facilities for the rest of their lives, we are conducting a crowdfunding campaign on the hometown tax donation comprehensive site “Furusato Choice” (until October 23, 2024).
For more information, see the “ONE FOR AKITA Project” homepage
Banner photo: An Akita dog walks with his owner through the streets of Shibuya, Tokyo, at an event commemorating Hachiko’s 100th anniversary in December 2023. Even foreign tourists fall in love with its cuteness (Kazuki Oishi/Sipa USA via Reuters Connect)
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