Over the past year, in alignment with Kazuo Kimoto, Director of Judging at the Akita Inu Hozonkai (AKIHO), a revised judging sheet has been developed for use during overseas exhibitions.

This initiative was undertaken in response to recurring questions from participants regarding the interpretation of judging results. The objective of the updated format is to support a clearer understanding of how evaluations are expressed, while remaining fully consistent with the principles and intent of AKIHO judging in Japan.

For participants more familiar with European systems such as those of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), it may be helpful to note that the AKIHO evaluation scale is applied with a different balance and emphasis. While similar terminology is used, the interpretation and distribution of qualifications follow a more compact and selective approach.

A similar consideration may be relevant in this context. Within some European exhibition environments, qualifications such as “Excellent,” “Very Good,” and “Good” are often interpreted within a broader distribution, where higher qualifications are awarded more frequently. As a result, “Very Good” may at times be perceived as less favourable, and “Good” may be interpreted as a lower evaluation. Within the AKIHO framework, these similar terms are applied with a different weighting and should therefore be understood within their specific context.

As an illustration, one may consider the Japanese review platform Tabelog. Within this system, ratings are typically distributed within a relatively narrow range: scores above 4.0 are exceptional, values from approximately 3.5 are already considered highly recommended, and even ratings around 3.3–3.4 can represent a high level of quality. The scale is therefore not intended as a broad “five-star” spectrum, but as a more finely differentiated measure within a narrower bandwidth.

In a comparable manner, the AKIHO judging scale is structured to distinguish clearly between different levels of quality within a relatively compact range.

The qualification 良い (Yoi / Good) indicates that a dog is correct in relation to the breed standard. It confirms that the essential characteristics are present and appropriately expressed. Within this framework, “Good” should be understood as a sound and positive evaluation.

The qualification 大変良い (Taihen Yoi / Very Good) is applied more selectively. It reflects the presence of clearly appreciable qualities that distinguish the dog within its class. These may relate to balance, expression, structure, or other elements demonstrating a higher level of refinement in accordance with the standard.

Age and class context are also relevant. In categories where dogs are not yet eligible for the highest distinctions (such as Tokuyuu, Eiyoshou, etc.), the evaluation focuses on how the dog expresses the standard relative to its stage of development. As a result, characteristics that are correct and appropriate may be evaluated as “Good,” while more pronounced or promising qualities may be recognized as “Very Good.”

The intention of this approach is not to limit recognition, but to maintain clarity and consistency in how different levels of quality are described. Each qualification retains its distinct meaning, allowing for a precise distinction between correctness and distinction.

When considered within this context, the judging results may be understood as part of a structured and consistent evaluation method, rather than as a direct comparison to other systems. The updated judging sheet is intended to support this understanding by providing additional transparency for participants outside Japan, while preserving the established framework and philosophy of AKIHO judging.