Yes. The 2nd Shinbokuten is an AKIHO Europe event, endorsed by AKIHO Headquarters through the leadership of President Endou Takashi and Director of Judging Kimoto Kazuo, and conducted in accordance with AKIHO judging standards. Matsushima Seiji has been appointed Haken Yuushikisha Shinsain (Appointed Expert Judge).

No. Shinbokuten is a separate, additional special-format event and does not replace the European Hozonkai Championship.

The event includes additional elements beyond the usual exhibition format. Breed study and in-depth analysis sessions are reserved for participants in the AKIHO Europe Trainee Judges Educational Program—structured training and assessment in AKIHO judging standards and methodology—while educational and recreational activities will be organised for all other participants.

Compared to the European Hozonkai Championship (EHC), a small number of procedural differences will apply:

Morning Judging — Kotai Shinsa (Individual Judging)
The first judging phase will be conducted as Kotai Shinsa under the supervision of Matsushima Seiji, with AKIHO judge candidates (trainee judges) assisting in selected classes. Where applicable, trainee judges may also evaluate dogs and complete evaluation sheets, always under Judge Matsushima’s supervision. This supports learning and guidance while maintaining the integrity and consistency of the judging process.

Afternoon Judging — Sougou Shinsa (Comprehensive Judging)
The second judging phase will be conducted as Sougou Shinsa, during which class placements are determined. This phase will take place as Gougi Shinsa (consultation judging), with Judge Matsushima presiding. Official rankings and final placements are determined exclusively by Judge Matsushima, who retains final responsibility for all ring decisions and results.

Instead of directly selecting the top three dogs in each class, the procedure will be:

1. a first selection reducing the class by approximately 50%;

2. a second selection identifying three finalists from that group;

3. final ranking with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place officially assigned.

For example, if 12 dogs are entered in a class, the first selection may reduce the group to 6; from these 6, the judge identifies 3 finalists; then 1st/2nd/3rd place are awarded.

During the event, European Tokuyuu titles will be awarded. Dogs receiving Tokuyuu will be presented with a Tokuyuu certificate (diploma) and an AKIHO commemorative medal.

Participation in Shinbokuten is open exclusively to AKIHO members with valid membership for 2026, or to those who have completed a new membership registration, in accordance with standard AKIHO regulations.

Yes, where applicable, Nintei will be issued to participants who require an AKIHO registration number in order to take part in the event. Nintei examination procedure will take place on Saturday.

Shinbokuten Special Discount
To encourage participation across the 2026 calendar, a promotional entry discount of €20 per dog* is available to exhibitors who register the same dog for both the 2nd Shinbokuten (April) and the European Hozonkai Championship (October), which will be judged exclusively by Japanese judges. The €20 discount is applied to the October registration fee.

Multiple Entries (more than four dogs)
Exhibitors entering more than four dogs will receive an immediate €10 discount per dog, in addition to the standard discount already applied for entries exceeding four dogs, valid for both April and October events.