2005.07

A new Star Player appeared in the small animal market. Richardson prairie dog, for the first time in Japan　(page 53)
Pet World (President: masakazu Hinoue Neyagawa-shi, Osaka), where imported White prairie dog from US (farm name: Keith) five years ago for the first time, starts to import Richardson prairie dog in black, it is also first time in Japan. Oguro prairie dog was very popular, but the import restriction made many prairie dog fans disappointed. We expect Richardson prairie dog will be familiarized in Japan as a new Star player.
About the recent small animals market, the sales manager, Mr. kazuya Hinoue said "It is inevitable that the imported animals have regulation. Under the circumstances, we need to improve a breeding skill, for example prairie dog is difficult to breed because of the difference of place of origin and climate, and also need to supply healthy and good living bodies. Though the small animals market makes little progress, all the more we want to stick to the quality. Each living body has different charm and different health condition."
This company, appealing the importance of improvement in knowledge concerning the live body, holds a workshop with retailer and makes effort to progress in knowledge. To hand live body to end user in best condition is required special knowledge of wholesaler and retailer and control of live body in good condition. Pet World keeps their forward-looking approach, introducing a new kind and offering full service.

Japan Aquarium Fish Association had a report meeting. 　(page 49)
Japan Aquarium Fish Association(Chairman: Nobuyuki Yoshida Edogawa-ku, Tokyo) had a report meeting about the "23rd Japan Aquarium Fair" held on April 8 - 10 at Tower Hall Funabori(Edogawa-ku, Tokyo) on June 1. 22 members attended the meeting and talked about the way of plan and management.
This time, the number of exhibits from general was increased at main event "Goldfish show" and 110 aquariums were displayed. "This is a good trend as an event", president Yoshida appreciated. "The attendance of Mr. Yoshinobu Shimamura, the minister of Agriculture, forestry and fisheries of Japan and Mr. Fumio Tahara, the director general of Fisheries agency at a commendation ceremony gave priority to the public interest." Mr.Ono of the secretariat looked back.
On the other hand, the number of visitors had decreased from 32,629 to 27,608 compared with last year. The association is going to discuss the concrete profit reform measure toward next Fair. "We will think the course of the Aquarium Fair to be taken. A success of fair is influenced by mass media, so we need something which the mass media jump at." Mr. Ono said.

Settle on pet food's self-standard Pet Food Manufactures Association held the 36th term ordinary general meeting. 　(page 47)
Pet Food Manufactures Association (Chairman: Toshio Takahara Chuo-ku, Tokyo) held the "36th term ordinary general meeting" at Arcadia Ichigaya (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) on May 27. 29 companies which are regular members attended the meeting, deliberated on the "36th term business report and statement of accounts", the "37th term business plan and budget bill" and "reelection of directors" and approved.
Responded to the increasing of interest for pet food, the association reported that they put their hand to settle on manufactures standard of pet food. They want to clarify the manufactures standard of pet food distributed in Japan at this time.
They selected the European Pet Food Industry Federation's "Code of practice for the manufacture of safe petfoods" as a reference for their self-standard.
They promote to incorporate the association, continuing the high interest business like "The study of dog and cat's actual breeding situation" and "The research of amount of distribution for pet food".

Pet Food Fair Trade Association held the 30th term regular general meeting.　(page 49)
Pet Food Fair Trade Association (Chairman: Hisashi Ishiyama Shibuya-ku, Tokyo) held the "30th term regular general meeting" at Arcadia Ichigaya (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo) on May 27. All of 41 companies attended the meeting, deliberated on the "30th term business report and statement of accounts", the "31st term business plan and budget bill" and "reelection of directors" and approved.
Operations of "trial purchase test about pet food label" at Asahikawa in July 2004 and at Kumamoto in December 2004 were reported as business report at the meeting. As a result, 3 members and 5 non-members had indication violation.
In April 2004, they held the "Indication seminar concerned about the Pharmaceutical Affairs Law" to prevent from interfering the Law. This seminar showed that non-members have a lot of violated indication. They will take measures to supplements distributing by on-line mail-order in the future.
"A indication about using addition" is a matter of concern for consumers and a consumer organizations. In the 31st term, they will make a concrete plan for indication of addition.
"Globalization of indication will make a case of admitted in Japan but not the other countries" said, chairaman Ishiyama.

Echo Trading, increases both in sales and profit for 3 quarters on end. Cerebrates 35th anniversary and being listed on TSE and OSE　(page 58)
Echo-Kai(＝Echo-Club), which is a group of customer maker of Echo Trading( President Kazuhiko Takahashi Nishimiya-shi, Hyogo) held the "29th regular general meeting" at Imperial Hotel Osaka(Kita-ku, Osaka) on June 2.
The group expands sales by tapping new customer, improves gross margin and concentrate on reducing the cost.
The company achieved increasing both in sales and profit for 3 quarters on end at February period in 2005 and marked a new high in consolidated sales, ordinary profit and net profit for this quarter. Under the circumstances, they cerebrated 35th anniversary and being listed on the 1st section of both TSE(Tokyo Stock Exchange) and OSE(Osaka Securities Exchange).

Ms. Taguchi becomes first woman chairperson of the board of directors of ICC　(page 50)
Regular general meeting of International Cat Club (ICC, Chiyoda-ku,Tokyo) was held on June 15 at Hotel Juraku (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo). At the meeting, Ms. Motoko Taguchi (Pet salon Micky co.) was elected as a new chairperson of the board of directors. She was former vice-chairperson of the board of directors and becomes first woman chairperson of the board of directors. "In this country, the depression is going on but I think this industry can still hold on. I would like to try to propagate pedigree and contribute to develop this industry." she said.
On the other hand, former chairperson of the board of directors, Mr. Mitsuyoshi Sano assumes new president. His mission is to help chairperson and the authority is taken over by chairperson.

-- Business report in 2004 --
[Admission, Cat register and Registration]
Regular member 10, General member 936, Pregnant cat 9,236, Single cat 685, Transferred cat 548, Single transferred cat 117

[Groomer License]
Instructor, A-grade 9, B-grade 152, C-grade 575

More Enjoyable life with your dog - "Honda Dog Festival"　(page 66)
"Honda Dog Festival" was held on June 4 and 5 at Inutama Dog Park (Setagaya-ku, Tokyo) supporting "More enjoyable life with your dog" as a slogan. This is an event proposing various way of living with dog to dog owner and his (or her) dog or person who wants to have a dog. There are service, introduction of goods, sale, dog sports class, discipline and manners course, introduction of activity and demonstration of mobility service dog and working dog. The site was mainly crowded with families.
About 30 companies opened the booths, that is, the Japan Guide Dog Association (J.G.D.A), Pet products maker and so on. J.G.D.A made an explanation and demonstration on the stage and that was helpful for children to understand the social role of service dog. Each maker suggested the way of enjoyable life with dog through displaying their products, sale and communication with visitors.

Dr. Dunber will hold "The 1st Japan K9 Game"　(page 51)
Pet dog training seminar secretariat (located in redheart co.) announced that they will hold "The 1st Japan K9 Game" on November 26 and 27.
K9 Game is to train dogs using 9 kinds of games devised by Dr. Dumber. By this Game, dogs can learn happily and easily, and also cultivate ability as companion animals.
The event take place at DIFFER ARIAKE (Koto-ku, Tokyo), and they estimate the size of spectator to be 1000.
The competitors will be mainly organized by the participants who joined the workshop held in Yamanaka Lake on June 7 and 8.
Dr.Dunber tells about the point of the election, "Handler enjoys the game and his (or her) dog also enjoys with wagging the tail. I prefer that kind of pairs."
K9 Game is not aimed at routine work like "Obedience". So the rule changes without preliminaries. Dr. Dunber explained "First of all, the competitors enjoy with their dog oblivious of win and loss, and then spectators feel like to train their dogs like that. That's the purpose of the event. I want to make the competition more cultivated one by changing the rules. "
Though the first competition in San Francisco ended with 300 spectators, the second competition in Toronto (Canada) gathered 10 thousands.
Dr. Dunber compares K9 Game with figure skate. "Figure skate was to slide only same rout 20 years ago. But now it becomes interesting sports added free style and ice dance. I hope this competition will not be formal like "obedience" but enjoyable."
The secretariat will talk with Dr. Dunber and participants about details.
[Contact]
Pet dog training seminar secretariat
TEL & FAX 078-230-2348

Aroma Pet Spray, newly arrived.　(page 45)
New Japan System (President: Takafumi Fukuda, Higashimurayama-shi, Tokyo) started to sell Aroma Pet Spray imported from Earth Vitality Scents LLC (EVS, US). It has 8 scents - fir, jasmine, lavender, ylang ylang, eucalyptus, orange and lemon, sandalwood and cedar.
EVS started to sell this product in October 1996 in US, and keeps 50 thousands per year at 1,260 stores in December 2004. The selling point of this product is 100% natural, using only pure mineral water and natural oil gathered from flowers in fields. This spray has effect on eliminating an odor, worming vermin and calming down.
Mr. Kennsaku Fujimori, general sales director, says "This product keeps the aroma compared with another similar product. And as it has no virulence, you can trust your precious pet to use."
Now Aroma pet Spray gets good reputation at specialty store in Tokyo and Osaka, and the company aims at selling 12 thousands per year. The price is 2,980 yen for 1.9 ounce (8 types) and 3,980 yen for 8 ounce (2 types).
[Contact]
New Japan System Co., Ltd.
TEL 050-5510-9676
FAX 042-342-3937