Japan Region

Nippon Bonsai Association
www.bonsai-kyokai.or.jp

Director of Japan Region
Mr. Fumio Aokage
fumio@aokagefumio.com

​

Which organisation represents bonsai in Japan?
In February 1965, Nippon Bonsai Association were established with former Prime Minister Shigeru Yoshida as the first president after receiving permission for establishment as an incorporated association from the Ministry of Education in order to spread and develop the art of bonsai and contribute to the advancement of Japanese culture. This is a group of people all around the country who share a love of bonsai. About a thousand people had joined the group a year after its inception.
 

Since then, ardent bonsai fans from all across the United States have converged, eventually reaching a peak membership of 23,000 in the year 1980. It was granted general incorporated association status in April 2012. The current membership count is at around 6,500 people. Anyone who has an interest in bonsai, whether they have experience with it or not, is welcome to join.

There are roughly 3,000 members at the moment, with 167 active chapters across the country. To date (June 2023) By hosting bonsai exhibitions and seminars, each chapters strengthen the local culture while bringing their members closer together. We have many international members because bonsai is now widely popular all over the world.

​

In addition, the 2024 Kokufu Bonsai Exhibition will be the 98th exhibition, and the dates are as follows.

First section : February 9th to 12th, 2024,

Second section : February 14th to 17th, 2024

​Masterpiece Bonsai Exhibition

Japan region held “Masterpiece Bonsai Exhibition” at The Omiya Bonsai Art Museum, Saitama to celebrate “WORLD BONSAI DAY” To be displayed at “Masterpiece Bonsai Exhibition”, the bonsai needs to be recognized as masterpiece by NBA. There are about 1000 bonsai which are recognized and registered as “Masterpiece” in Japan.

​