Overview
Established as Japan's first guide dog school on August 10th, 1967, Japan Guide Dog Association has been serving the vision-impaired persons around the country.
Our president, Masahito KANETAKA, is a former Commissioner General of the National Police Agency of Japan.
Our office is located in central Tokyo, and our four training centers are spread across the country: Miyagi, Kanagawa, Shizuoka and Shimane prefecture.
We have been striving to help vision-impaired people in Japan, empowering them, educating society about them, and providing guide dogs.
Scope of Activities
- Guide Dog Training and Development
- Education of Guide Dog Trainers and Guide Dog Mobility Instructors
- Research on Guide Dog Breeding
- Rehabilitation Programmes
- Collaboration with Domestic and International Organisations
- Promotion of Guide Dogs
- Grant schemes for Orientation & Mobility (O&M) Training
Our Mission
Empowering the vision-impaired and those with low vision so they can go anywhere, at any time, as they wish.
Activity Policies
- To produce as many high quality guide dogs as possible
- To enhance the general understanding of guide dogs and the vision-impaired
- To respect animal welfare and to be responsible for the life-time care of guide dogs
- To take a scientific approach to the production of guide dogs
- To contribute to the enhancement of QOL (quality of life) for the vision-impaired
- To value domestic and international partnerships
- To educate highly professional staff
Staff Commitments
- To value teamwork and maintain quality work
- To be passionate and to continue to strive forward sincerely
- To be thankful and share the joy of achievement
History of JGDA
1966
September
The inaugural meeting of the Japan Guide Dog Association's founders was held.
Mr. Hisatsune Sakomizu, Member of the House of Councillors and former Minister of Posts and Telecommunications, was appointed as the first President.
1967
August
The Japan Guide Dog Association was officially established as a foundation.
1974
February
The Koganei Training Center was opened.
1978
January
Mr. Mitsuzo Sato was appointed as the second President.
(Chairman of the Japan Animal Welfare Society and the Lions Eye Bank Association)
December
The Association was officially designated by the National Public Safety Commission as a guide dog training organization and guide dog breeding facility.
1984
April
Mr. Sadanao Komatsu was appointed as the third President.
(Director of Komatsu Veterinary Hospital)
1988
December
The Chigasaki Training Center was opened.
1989
April
Mr. Yoshimitsu Kimura was appointed as the fourth President.
(Director of Takanawa Animal Hospital and Vice Chairman of the Tokyo Veterinary Medical Association)
December
Mr. Tsutomu Hata, the 80th Prime Minister of Japan, was appointed as the fifth President.
1993
September
The Association was certified by the Minister of Health and Welfare as a “Special Public Interest Promotion Corporation.”
1995
April
The National Federation of Guide Dog Training Facilities was established as an umbrella organization for guide dog training facilities across Japan.
1997
May
The Kanagawa Training Center of the Japan Guide Dog Association was opened.
May
The Association was approved for membership in the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF).
2001
May
The Sendai Training Center was opened.
September
Mr. Nobuo Takai was appointed as the sixth President.
(Attorney-at-law, Chairman of Takai & Okazeri Law Office)
2003
September
Mr. Yukihiko Inoue, former Superintendent General of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, was appointed as the seventh President.
2004
April
Japan's first Guide Dog Trainer School was established.
2006
October
The Japan Guide Dog General Center ”Fuji Harness” was opened.
2008
October
The Shimane Asahi Training Center was opened.
2009
April
Their Imperial Highnesses the Crown Prince and Crown Princess visited the Kanagawa Training Center.
April
The “Shimane Asahi Guide Dog Puppy Raising Program” was launched, becoming Japan's first program in which inmates raise guide dog candidate puppies.
2010
October
The Association was officially certified by the Cabinet Office as a Public Interest Incorporated Foundation and renamed the “Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Japan Guide Dog Association.”
2014
May
The 13th International Guide Dog Federation Seminar was held in Tokyo, with the Association serving as the host organization.
2015
September
A cooperation agreement on animal-assisted medical care was signed with the Kitasato Institute, which operates Kitasato University Medical Center.
2016
April
The Long Cane Mobility Instructor Training Program was established.
2019
July
The Association began cooperating with the “Guide Dog Mobility Studies Laboratory” established by the University of Tokyo.
2024
June
Mr. Masahito Kanetaka, former Commissioner General of the National Police Agency, was appointed as the eighth President.
July
The “Low Vision Care Hub” was opened inside Keio University Hospital as a base for joint research with Keio University.
2026
May
The 18th International Guide Dog Federation Conference was held in Yokohama, with the Association serving as the host organization.