Akita Inu as an Initiator of Prefecture Activation

Abstract

This is the fourth part of my series of research papers on Akita Inu published in this journal. In May 2018, Alina Zagitova, Russia’s Olympic skating champion, received an Akita puppy from Mr. Takashi Endo, President of the Akita Inu Preservation Club, at a ceremony in Moscow, which was attended by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. This news triggered a tremendous increase in the popularity of Akita Inu. Akita’s local government and Odate city, which is the birth place of loyal dog “Hachiko,” have strengthened tourism through strategies that have led to an increase in foreign and domestic visitors along with private investments. The annual number of overseas Akita dogs registered at Hozonkai exceeded that of Japan for the first time in 2016. The number of foreign tourists to Akita has been increasing due to the popularity of Akita Inu. Odate city plans to open the long-awaited museum “Akita Dog Visitor Center” in May 2019, which will be a new sightseeing spot in Northern Akita. However, challenges and problems still exist in the region.