International Conference on Animal care in KOBE 2009
Date：Saturday 12th December ９:00 ～ 12:00
Venue：Kobe International Conference Center, Main Hall

OpeningThank you very much. The 5 animal-like characters[shown in the video] represent the key words for thisconference. I hope that you will now make friends withthem.
Before the keynote speech, I ask that we all share a
moment of silence for the many lives lost by theearthquake.
Also, you may have heard the tragic news about Ms.
Miyako Hiraoka from the media. Ms. Hiraoka was astudent at the University of Shimane, and one of the○ Kayoko TOMINAGAGood morning, ladies and gentlemen. I would like tothank all of you for coming today. I am Kayoko

registrants for this conference. She would have been
joining us today. So I would like to ask you to dedicate amoment of silence to her as well.

Tominaga, chairperson of NPO Knots and I will chair the
conference today.

[A moment of silence]

This conference is co-hosted by The Great Hanshin

Now, we will proceed to the keynote speech. Dr.

Earthquake Animal Rescue Memorial Association, an

Shigekatsu Ichida, President of The Great Earthquakeorganization consisting of Hyogo Prefecture, Kobe City,

Animal Rescue Memorial Association, will talk about

the Veterinary Association of Hyogo Prefecture, theanimal rescue following the Great Hanshin-Awaji

Veterinary Association of Kobe City and Japan Animal

Earthquake. His profile is printed in the abstract books.

Welfare Society (Hanshin Branch), and the Kobe Society

Please welcome Dr. Ichida.

for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Kobe will be marking the 15th anniversary of the Great
Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake next month. As you know,
the earthquake gave us an opportunity to rescue
animals in an organized way for the first time. I would
like to start this conference reflecting on the animal
rescue after that earthquake and what we have learned
from that experience, and how it has led us to thisconference.
[Video presentation]

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Advisor’s Message

Advisor's Message
Date：Saturday 12th December ９:00 ～ 12:00
Venue：Kobe International Conference Center, Main Hall
○ Kayoko TOMINAGA
I think that many of you will have been inspired torenew your commitment after hearing Dr. Ichida’sreport on animal rescue.
Next, I would like to introduce the Advisors who havebeen a constant support to us ever since thisconference was established. So I would like to invite all
the Advisors to now come up to the stage.
As the nature of this conference involves sometechnically advanced topics, we have developed theprogram based on our Advisors' advice and guidance inboth user-friendly and interdisciplinary ways. They will
each explain about this conference, their own
motivation for the conference and their vision for the
future. I'm sure you already know them all very well but
this is a very special opportunity to hear them talk about
their own thoughts and opinion. Our advisers are:
-Professor Takashi Uemura, Professor of Shijyonawate
Gakuen University.
-Dr. Hiroko Shibanai, Advisor for the Japanese Animal
Hospital Association and Director of Akasaka Animal
Hospital.
-Dr. Kimihiro Tamai, Chairman of Veterinary Associationof Wakayama Prefecture-Dr. Chizuko Yamaguchi, Veterinary Inspector of theJapan Animal Welfare Society-Ms. Keiko Yamazaki, Founder of the Companion Animal
Study Group ‘Go’

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植村興

Takashi UEMURA
四條畷学園大学教授
Professor,

Shijonawate Gakuen University

talked of how their commitment is renewed by realizing
Good morning, ladies andthe importance of the human responsibility for animals.

gentlemen. I am Uemura, as Ms.

She reminded us that fortifying the bond between

Tominaga just kindly introduced.

people and animals has come through their experiencefrom the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. Remember,In the Abstract and Program Book, you

it all started with Ms. Tominaga opening the main gateswill notice two cute mascots. [Slide 1]of the Knots ‘Castle’.
■ Chairperson Ichida opens up the entrance door.
Then Dr. Ichida reports in detail about the animal rescue
process after the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. Heshows us how Knots` final goal to forge a “bonding
between people and animals,” has been developed by
the devotion of many people to the rescuing of animals.
For me, Dr. Ichida is the one who opened the entrance
door of Knots. Now, I would like to open the door of myown workplace and introduce my role within.

【Slide 1】■ Professor Uemura opens the door of his workplace.
This conference organized by Knots is not only for the

神 God Akua

扉 DoorPuka・komo

The largest one, who appears to besamurai warriors that make up the Knots team, but also

taking a peaceful nap, is called ‘Akua’.

for all the participants here today. Please allow me - orThis is a Hawaiian word and, in

perhaps I should say - please allow all of us here today

Japanese, it translates as ‘kami’ (God).

to open the door and check the contents of our work
together. It is my role today to ask you this. Our job is to

Next to Akua is ‘Puka Komo’ a namecontinue with all our activities towards our future goals,

that means a “door.” So, if we put theas we always have. These goals have no ending as wewords together, they mean “God's

will always need to deepen the bond between people

Door” or “Gate”. That is why theseand animals and tomorrow will always be better thanwords represent the two mascot

today.

figures. These lovely mascots werecreated by Knots after muchdeliberation.

It was just a coincidence that people were talking muchabout President Obama's dog “Bo,” when I was writing
my message for the proceedings. In his inaugural■ Ms. Tominaga opened up the main gates.

address, President Obama said that he would get theThrough her greeting comments earlier Ms. Tominaga

dog that his daughter had been asking for.

has opened up the main gates of the ‘Knots Castle’ and10

introduced Akua to us. She mentioned how the Knots

It was a touching story but it is actually not as simple amembers originally launched their activities in order tomatter as it first sounds. The dog kept at the White

strengthen the bond between people and animals. She

House is called the “First Dog”, which draws the eyes

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Advisor’s Message

and attention of the world just like the “First Lady”. The

really out of the blue. The reason for the award was his

first dog also plays a very important role. I work withexpression of determination to eliminate nuclear

animals every day so it is common sense to me that

armaments of all kinds from the earth. That is well worth

animals possess a special power to soothe and calm.

the Nobel Peace Prize. Unfortunately, Senator Edward
Kennedy passed away without knowing about or seeing

The President is required to handle difficult tasks andPresident receive his Nobel Prize. But I believe that Bo

make hard decisions that put him under tremendous

will carry on the Senator's will and play his importantpressure. Everyone around him closely scrutinizes hisrole as the First Dog. An episode like this makes meevery move and detail. So, within a tense environment

think about the wonders of history and how

like this, it is a great relief to see the First Dog running

unpredictable our destiny can be.

up to the President as he climbs down from a helicopter
and to see the two rubbing cheeks. People have

President Obama presented a drastic message to us in

nervously been waiting for the Presidents latest words,

his speech at the Nobel Prize award ceremony held theonly to have the tension wiped away by just one dog.

day before yesterday; “There will be times when nations

The First Dog has just accomplished a task as difficult as- acting individually or in concert - will find the use of

any of that of his master.

force not only necessary but morally justified.”

The President is known for making quick decisions but

Now we are standing in a difficult position where weit took him 3 months to decide the First Dog. His

have to give serious thought to the lives of animals in

inauguration was in January but the debut of the First

order to create an ideal society co-existing with animals.

Dog was not until after April 10. Everybody, throughIs it right to unconditionally eliminate unwanted or

newspapers and internet, could follow the process ofdestructive animals? Are we supposed to protect all

selecting the dog. Looking back on this story I cannot

wild animals that live freely in the name of “life” andhelp but notice all those several hidden problems that“love.”? There are occasions when certain neglected

we all have to face when living with animals.

wild animal species become extinct due to

The first problem was that, before giving his daughter

overpopulation. It also often happens that wild animals

what she wanted, the father had to talk about thedevastate farms, start disease outbreaks or even attack

responsibility of keeping a pet. They had to agree about

people directly. Facts like these lead to a conclusion thathow much of the responsibility she herself would bear.

“It can be right to eliminate the lives of some animals inorder to protect both animals and people.”

Then there was the issue of his daughter's allergies

Through its difficult mission and activities, the Knots

which meant that the dog had to be an allergy-freeorganization has been asking itself whether it is right tobreed. President Obama had also tried hard to acquire aonly be on the receiving end of the healing benefits ourdog from a shelter. However, in the end the issue

animals bestow, or whether they need to act from abecame a political gesture with a dog being provided as

standpoint of being more protective for the love anda gift from Senator Edward Kennedy. In that sense I

lives of animals, and whether they need to be morebelieve the circumstances were different to the ones

responsible in the keeping and use of animals.

the rest of us usually encounter but, reviewing thebackground of the more than 3 month journey to selectPresident Obama stated that there would be times

the First Dog, I could see many of the same problems

when wars are morally justified. It is very sad but therethat we share in our lives.

are also times when we have to eliminate some animals
to achieve a better coexistence with them. We all carry

Time does fly. I heard on the news the other day about

these difficult challenges on our shoulder and I would

President Obama winning Nobel Peace Prize. That was

like to use this opportunity to exchange our honest

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opinions at this conference.
The tasks that Knots leads us to are not easy toaccomplish. It is never easy to raise funds and thepractice of keeping animals at schools has beensluggish. In a situation like this, we should focus tocontinue with our learning and expand our fields ofactivity without giving up. One who has the mostpatience always wins. This is our ninth conference-style
event and I would like to express my utmost respect for
Knots for keeping up with their activities and neverlosing heart.
Thank you for sharing with us your expertise and work
content beyond the door of your workplace. I conclude
my message by stating my commitment to keep
holding this conference to reach its 10th and to 20th
anniversary and to continue our activities for thepermanent goal of “greater bonds between people andanimals.” Only perseverance can make us stronger.
Thank you very much.

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柴内裕子

Hiroko SHIBANAI
公益社団法人日本動物病院福祉協会

顧問

Advisor, Japanese Animal Hospital Association（JAHA）
赤坂動物病院

院長

Director, Akasaka Animal Hospital

Good morning everyone.

particular, the education kids receive at home, in school

I was deeply impressed by today’sand from society (their community) form an important

keynote by Dr. Ichida, and the talk justfoundation for humans to become real humans.

now by Dr. Uemura. Before starting I
would like to thank Knots for working

However today, for a number of reasons, people who

hard to make today’s conference

should be able to receive the correct type of educationp o s s i b l e . A s D r. U e m u r a a l r e a d ysometimes do not. This problem can be helped bymentioned, we all hope that Knots will continue withhaving contact with a companion animal, and throughthis good work and remain active, as driven by Ms.

the positive influence that animals and Nature can have

Tominaga at the core, although they may become aon people.

great deal busier from now on.
At this conference, both today and tomorrow, we will
[Slide 1] With that thank you note, and as Dr. Uemura

focus on these relationships with other animals andhas now kindly opened up the “God’s Gate” as well as

Nature and will hear talks on related topics. What I wish

the front door, we can now ‘pop out’ one by one to give

most for this conference is that it will be used to support

our own talks and join you in thinking about the issues.

the Earth. I hope that it will cover themes on animal life

Thank you very much.

within different environments and situations. I hopethat by joining the forces of specialists from several

As written in this message, together with Dr. Uemura, I

different fields, we will consider how to better connect

am one of the oldest people in this room in that I

the future of habitats, societies and the Earth.

experienced World War II. That terrible experience has
made me feel strongly that wars and killings should

In 1995 we were struck by the Great Hanshin-Awaji

never happen on this planet Earth. There is nothing

Earthquake. Of course it was a totally unexpected event.

more terrible. Even without humans killing humans,

The great tragedy did however provide an opportunity

there is terrifying energy that can be unleashed byfor people to seriously tackle the challenge of animal

Mother Nature, such as Hanshin Awaji Great Earthquake.

life saving, as well as human life saving. Within our

It is against such violence in the natural world that wecountry, this Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake was called

really need to fight, and we cannot afford to allow

the birth year of volunteering.

people to kill other people.
(By the way, I would like you to know that in this venue
I heard a while ago that war is sometimes necessary intoday we do have permission for JAHA and CAPP

order to sustain peace. But we can never hope for peace

therapy dogs to accompany their owners. As you know

through warfare. There is nothing more tragic than that.

these organizations are active in human-animal bond

War is the worst crime that humans can commit. The

relations.)

correct type of education is the only way to prevent
wars from happening.

As somebody who is responsible for the JapaneseAnimal Hospital Association (JAHA), which is now a

Genetic factors, plus environment and education

public corporation, it was me who, 24 years ago, first

between birth and the age of 10 is the most importantbegan developing the animal friendship activities forperiod in the development of human brains. In

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humans and other animals in Japan. At the time, such

[Slide 5] The title on this slide shows a question markactivities were already happening in overseas countries.

next to the word ‘yutakasa’, (richness, plenty or wealth).

Since then, over the past 24 years, Japanese society has

I am asking, are we really rich? With the advancement ofchanged greatly.

modernization and our more urbanized society thesocial environment and our people relationships, even

Dr. Keiko Yamazaki always talks about ‘ancient blood’

within families, have changed greatly. And because of

and I agree with her. Within the vast expanse of Motherthat, many problems have arisen - people no longer

Nature, we human beings are a late starter evenhave a proper family structure, children are raisedamongst the mammal species. However, newcomer

without much family conversation, and individuals havehumans are now ruling Planet Earth and this is a serious

lost the ability to make judgments. If these kinds of

responsibility. As a species we have evolved both facing

people increase, our society will be in serious danger,

the severity of Nature and, at other times, surroundedbecause it is people who have to support the Earth. In

by its warmth.

order to nurture people with healthy emotional stability,
what we need now is more contact with nature andDespite the fact that we human beings are blessed withanimals.

a number of different senses, it has become increasingly
difficult to nurture such senses. There are now far fewer[Slide 6] Animals are moving things and we pay

opportunities to enjoy Nature, such as living withattention to things that have motion. That has been so

animals or even touching them. As urbanization

since ancient times. We would have focused on animals

advances if our species chooses to proceed in theas either friendly or dangerous, or as targets to eat.

wrong direction, our Earth will be exposed to serious

However, when we gaze at animals we consider to be

dangers.

cute, they draw out feelings of love and kindness fromour hearts naturally. Next I will show you some human[Slides 2 and 3] In recent years we have come to use aanimal bond activities from JAHA which make aprecious term, namely the ‘human-animal bond’ tocontribution to society. It has been 24 years since we

express the effect of the interaction between humans

started CAPP activities (Companion Animal Placement

and other living things. It refers to the ties between

Program), and we have successfully conducted it 10,400

humans and other animals. This is a common ideology

times. Thanks to the wonderful animals, so far we havethat is understood worldwide, with the word ‘bond’

had no accidents or allergy problems. Being together

meaning adhesive. In Japan, we use a wonderful word,with animals, people talk more and become more‘kizuna’ (ties or bonds). It is our aim to treasure theactive. [Slide 7] My next slide shows ideal scenes of‘kizuna’ between humans and other animals, and tochildren with animals.

make use of welfare, better medicine and education forboth humans and other animals.

[Slide 8] Dr. Joseph Whalen, Executive Director of Green
Chimneys who visited Japan recently says that animals

Human-Animal Bond – this ideology suggests theare excellent therapists for children. If conditions match,

effective use of humans’ relationship with nature.

they are great partners.

[Slide 4] The term ‘Human Animal Bond’ was advocated[Slide 9] It is the same for old people. One old

by Dr. Leo Bustard who was President of the

gentleman who has been in institutions for many years

Washington State College of Veterinary Medicine, andwith little conversation and unable to feed himself was

Dr. Michael Crock, a psychiatrist, who is pictured on the

introduced to a young volunteer lady with a small dog.

slide.

When the volunteer invited him to ‘Please touch thedog’, he actually moved his hand which he had not

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done for a long time. The moment was recorded in the

hygiene became a phobia. [Slide 15] It is now known

photograph. But if you look at the picture carefully, youthat symptoms of hay fever (pollinosis) increased as acan see that, although he was invited to touch the dog,

result and that if children live with pets from when they

he is actually holding onto the hand of the lady. This isare born their allergic symptoms decrease.

evidence from a very precious scene of an opportunity
for motivation. It is wonderful. This old gentleman may[Slide 16] I have another slide about endotoxins whichhave only hoped to hold the lady’s hand but on thisshows part of a membrane when bacteria have died. It

occasion he boldly managed to move his hand.

has been medically proven that it is important to be innatural contact with endotoxins from age zero. Now

So this photograph is important. Without it, this wouldthat such findings are being announced at medical

have just been an ordinary scene of a CAPP visit activity,

conferences so the number of people who understandand nothing more. The institution is in Tokyo and called

has started to increase.

Asoke-en. We discussed the discovery with theinstitution head and with the man’s helpers. If he couldChildren in Mongolia from a very young age pick up

hold the hand of a volunteer he may yet be able to holdcattle and horse dung from the fields and plains to bea spoon to feed himself. So practice began and,used as fuel for cooking meals. They are naturally

although it took a few years, the man was eventually

exposed to a lot of endotoxins.

able to eat with a spoon. His life has changed greatly,
thanks to the work of an animal.

We now have a role to provide correct guidance about
excess reactions caused by the collapsing of the balance[Slide 10] Various positive outcomes from humans

between inherited immunity and newly createdbeing in contact with other animals have been

immunity.

scientifically proven. [Slide 11] Several reports fromdeveloping countries who have grown up with manyvarious parts of the world state that older people who

siblings, or have lived with animals, or lived on farms,

are living with animals tend to visit hospital less, spend

are less likely to have rhinitis and hay fever. These days

shorter stays in hospital and take less medicine. As the

Nature has become something far away, so keeping

number of old people in society increases we need toanimals within families is not only educationally valid

help the national budget by reducing the social andbut also medically valid.

It has been proven that children in

economic stress we place on society. [Slide 12] It has
been said that by keeping a dog or cat as a member ofHowever it does not mean that people should just havethe family can help reduce medical costs by over 2%.

animals at home. People should keep their animals as a

[Slide 13]

member of the family and under proper healthmanagement. I have another report in which the oldest[Slide 14] I think it was around autumn last year that anchildren (of five siblings) have a 6.0% incidence of

NHK Special television program broadcast that, until notallergy symptoms, whereas the youngest have a 1.5%

so long ago, it was common wisdom that if there is anincidence. I think a book called ‘Origins of Diseases’ isexpecting mother in the family then people should get

published by NHK on this issue so if you are interested,rid of any animals in the house. That was widely

please refer to it.

believed but it turned out to be a great mistake. It was a
mistake on the part of veterinary medicine for not[Slide 17] The graph on this slide about childpropagating correct information concerning zoonosis. I

development from 1990 is very convincing. It relates toam not suggesting that a lack of cleanliness is alrighthuman brain development and physical development.

but we did have relatively acceptable living conditions.

The lowest yellow line shows development related to

Then quite rapidly we created living styles in which

gender. From about 10 or 12 years old children begin

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their gender based development up until about the age

be understood by everyone - the first teacher is theof 20. The dark red line shows overall physicalmother. Mothers need to hug their babies and give

development and, again, by the age of 20 it is almost

them lots of mother’s milk. They need to stabilize theircomplete. The navy blue line shows brain size

baby’s emotions, praising and gently cuddling them.

development which, by the age of 12, is almost

Nowadays we all know about using praise and cuddlingcomplete. Furthermore, another very interesting line isto nurture our animals.

the top one which shows the development of theimmune system. Again by age 12, the immunity system[Slide 19] When we visit elementary schools withis virtually completed. You can see that the type ofanimals, some parents ask us afterwards why our dogs

environment and the exposure factors that surroundare so well behaved. I tell them that it is because ourchildren can have an influence on shaping theirdogs have been brought up with praise for even the

immunity system. We can see how important they are.

smallest thing and huged often. Then, sometimes theThymus gland cells develop up until the age of 12 but

mothers say; ‘I wish I knew about that sooner.’by the time physical development is complete they
begin to reduce. This is so in humans, dogs or cats. The

We humans and our dogs are both mammals. We must

period of having so many thymus cells is the time whenkeep reminding people about the importance of

we can develop our immunity power. I call this period‘skinship’, of happy family time and of warmth. It has

the ‘immunity school’ and believe that, while the school

become apparent that unless children receive suchis open, we need to be exposed to various factors so as

nurturing when they are developing their prefrontal

to develop our immunities.

brains, their ability to harbor kind thoughts will be
impaired when they become adults.

[Slide 18] The next slide shows positron changes in thebrain. When children grow up in a happy environment,[Slide 20] Nowadays larger families, with the children

the development of the large prefrontal area whichhaving many siblings, have become less common.

Nature has bestowed on human beings, is great as is

Therefore I hope you can help popularize the message

shown here. Children who unfortunately grow up in anof the importance of having animals around for children

unhappy environment exhibit a smaller development into grow up with.

this part of the brain. The so called ‘hardware’ of the16

brain is created by the age of around ten. Of course[Slide 21] At various occasions we hear the term ‘animal

even after that, we can continue to learn and it is now

therapy’. This is a term created by the media but it is notunderstood that even the elderly, or people who sufferused correctly. It is generally understood to refer tobrain damage, can recover brain function to a certain

people being ‘comforted by animals’. To be moredegree if they make the effort. However it is also

accurate, and depending on the content of theunderstood that unless proper development occurs

respective activities, ‘Animal Assisted Activity’, ‘Animal

during the important stage, brain development will be

Assisted Therapy’ and ‘Animal Assisted Education’ aredelayed.

all different.

I sincerely believe in the importance of having a good

[Slides 22] Since the year 2000, requests to visit

family environment for children. We are mammals. We

elementary schools have been increasing. We visit

drink mother’s milk and we inherit immunities throughschools with animals which are healthy and have been

her. Being cuddled by our mothers and given lots ofbrought up by responsible owners in clean and happylove and attention equips us with stable and healthyfamilies. We teach children how to properly

emotions and helps our behavior throughout our lives.

communicate with the animals. With this as aThis is the most important point and one that needs tofoundation, we provide various programs, and with

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teachers cooperating, conduct classes to teach children

Today is a great day, thanks to this much-welcome

to never think ill of animals and about the importanceevent by Knots. For an old person like myself, I wouldof ‘life’.

like to commemorate this occasion by showing
something very old.

[Slides 23] Today, Japan is a country of longevity. I feel
that, despite our longer lives, we are losing our power[Slide 30] You have heard of ‘Tsurezuregusa (Essay into nurture children and a decrease in the number of

Idleness)’. I am sure many of you learned it at school.

children can affect our national power. We know that

[Slide 31] The essay was written by the monk Kenkou

the working population will decrease greatly in 20 years

Houshi (1283-1352) and is now translated into easy-to-time. This country also has some of the highest suicide

understand Japanese. I recommend it. There is astatistics. There are all sorts of problems.

passage that is still relevant today.

[Slides 24] Domestic violence is also on the increase and[Slide 32] It is the 121st passage – which goesincidents of child abuse are mostly committed bysomething like,

mothers, with fathers following the lead. [Slides 25]-

Everyday there are sad incidents and I sometimes lose

up, they suffer. This is painful to see. From ancient times

track if a particular story is today’s news or yesterday’s.

cattle and horses have cultivated the fields and pulled

Why do such things happen? I believe it is because it

heavy loads. Dogs protect homes and are better thanhas become more difficult to nurture our people topeople at preventing thieves so you are encouraged tohave emotional stability. To protect peace on Earth wekeep them. No need to look for them because there areurgently need to raise all people to have stable andmany around. ““Cattle and horses are kept but, if they are tied

health minds.
[Slide 33] Next is the part.
[Slides 26-27] I also recently heard that some people are-complaining and reporting the sound of children’s

It is the deed of a man with a cruel heart to capture

voices as nuisance ‘noise’ to their community

animals that run freely and confine them by cage orauthorities. It is unbelievable. We should have a mind-

chain, or to cage a bird and cut its wings. They will

set within which we treat children’s voices as a ‘treasure’

probably pine for the sky or to roam the mountains. So

and popularize such an attitude. We should make sure

let’s not do such things. To cause living things to sufferthat the sound of children at play is not regarded as

and enjoy watching them suffer is the deed of a Chinese‘noise’. We must not allow such attitudes.

tyrant (and not only in China of course). Calligraphers,“Others birds and wild animals are no use to us.

as men of culture who love bamboo, do not commit[Slides 28] In Japan, the number of children under 15

such things. They do not capture animals or make themyears of age is about 8 million less than the number ofsuffer. They enjoy listening to the birds twitter in woods

dogs and cats kept by people. [Slides 29] So there are

and forests.”

many animals now performing the role of a family
member in helping us. I refer to the support that

[Slide 34] And finally, the passage says;

animals give not only to children but also to sick people,-

l o n e l y p e o p l e a n d t h e e l d e r l y. I f m o r e p e o p l e

the country”

understand that animals are helping our lives, it will

Yes, he was talking about exotic pets. People who

definitely lead to better treatment for animals in society.

import animals from abroad keep the animals and only

I am sure you agree that we should treat them more

make them unhappy; they can never give them a fullcorrectly?

life. Importing pet animals from abroad should be“Unusual birds, unusual animals do not matchbanned by law. Half of them already die during theAdvisor's Message

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transportation and they cannot grow. The monk Kenkou
already understood these things hundreds of years ago
yet we are still only talking about them.
Today, it is we people involved with companion
animals, through the health, welfare and education ofpeople and other animals, who are contributing to thecontinuation of loving families and a safe society. We
are nurturing people to have emotional stability andhealthy minds, and people who have real courage. By
joining forces with others in different fields, we should
work together to raise healthy children and thereby
protect the Earth so that we can pass it on to future
generations. Such work cannot be done by a single
person. So let us please join hands, many hands andmove forward. Finally, to the Knots people, I ask you toplease continue all your hard work. Thank you very
much.

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玉井公宏

Kimihiro TAMAI
社団法人 和歌山県獣医師会会長
Chairperson, Veterinary Association of Wakayama Prefecture
Good morning, everyone. My name isowners tend to pull the dog towards themselves as they

Kimihiro Tamai and I am acting as anpass by others on narrow streets.

advisor for this conference.
[Slide 5] I think that such displays of caring like thisFirst of all, I would like to thank you all

make the world realize how sensitive and considerate

for coming here so early in thedog owners are to other people.

morning and to thank NPO Knots who
have organized and prepared this impressive[Slide 6] I hear that the quality of pet animal care isconference, as well as all the other people and parties

being reconsidered. However this also implies that the

involved.

level of care was not so good before. As mentioned by
Dr. Shibanai in her earlier speech (although I'm afraid[Slide 1] With the use of a slide presentation I would likemy numbers might be a little less precise than hers),

to explain my opinions regarding the direction of this

there are supposedly 12 million dogs and 10 million

conference.

cats kept as pets in Japan today. A comparison was also
made with the number of children in Japan, which was[Slide 2] As you know, I just delivered a word of greeting

17 million. So as you can see we now have more pet“Ohayo gozaimasu” and I believe that most of you

animals than children. As such, if we had not alreadygreeted someone on your way here this morning.

been improving the quality of our pet animal care, we

However, using this greeting can actually be quite

would have had encountered a great many troubles bydifficult because it has to be delivered at precisely the

now. But thanks to the efforts of people like all of you

right moment. It was so easy to do when we were little

over the past 20 years, no serious problems havebut as we grow older, we tend to be a little more shy

occurred so far. In Dr. Ichida's speech, delivered earlier,and reluctant to converse with people we don't know.

he shared his significant experience of the animal

We then usually regret not having made the greetings

rescue operation at the time after the Great Hanshin-later on.

Awaji Earthquake.

When I attend lessons or lectures made by dog

Those efforts and operations did take time but ainstructors, I often notice that they encourage theconsciousness for the rights of animals and people’sowners to greet others when they walk their dogs.

responsibility towards animals has finally started to
grow higher. Government authorities now use words[Slide 3] It is a part of the training and thanks to such

such as “proper animal care,” which they would neverefforts dog owners are gaining a favorable reputation

have used 20 years ago, and some signs of progressfor being among the most polite members of our local

have been seen in this field. As a result, many

communities.

companies started to offer support for our activities.
Accordingly, people gradually care more about the[Slide 4] When walking our dogs in a narrow street, wequality of pet animal care.

usually instruct our pet to move to one side, being

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conscious that it might be in someone's way or might[Slide 7] As Dr. Shibanai mentioned earlier, a notion of

get hurt. None of us want our dog to be disliked by

the “human-animal bond” was brought to Japan fromothers on the streets. To avoid these situations, dog

America by her with other doctors about 20 years ago,

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and a much evidence for its effectiveness has been

zoonotic infections, promoting awareness, conducting

found in this time. There has been much progressanimal-mediated educational programs and medical

regarding animal care and its relevant knowledge andtreatments, research and education related to theawareness. People's knowledge and awareness forrescue and protection of wild animals, etc. I'm sure thatanimal health has also improved dramatically. I am athere are many other tasks still to be covered.

veterinarian myself and run a clinic. I too haveexperienced the increase in expectations that people[Slide 10] Veterinary medical associations are thehave for their veterinarians. They expect us to deepen

specialist organizations made up of veterinarians

our technical knowledge and help us keep up with theengaged in these wide-ranging operations andsystems required for high level medical services.

activities. In order to flexibly respond to social needs
and government requests, they gather all kinds of

As you know, zoos are also drawing much attention for

information from veterinarians working across various

their efforts towards improvements in key areas such as

fields.

animal display methods and environmental enrichment.
Thanks to news about these activities reported by the

Now that we have the categorized working groupmass media, zoos are now becoming the center ofsystem, more detailed activities are being carried out byattention like never before.

groups in each field. Public enlightenment programs
such as World Veterinary Day and Animal Protection[Slide 8] The same thing can be said about wild animals.

Festivals are also organized by those associations. They

Some storks released from Toyooka City were foundalso promote the systematization andflying into a town over 250km away in the southern part

institutionalization of animal nursing jobs and teamof Wakayama Prefecture. The city’s persistent protection

veterinary medicine.

activities and research has gained the attention of many
people thanks to mass media.

The veterinary medical associations have always set out
a basic direction to be focused on public-interest[Slide 9] As is listed up here, veterinarians are involved

activities.

in a wide range of activities as well as being deeply
involved in the activities I mentioned earlier. At animal[Slide 11] I believe that now is a good opportunity forclinics, we do not only treat pets, we also provide

every field to pursue development. Pet ownerguidance about proper animal care including how toawareness about animal care and favorable public

get along with people with your pets. Regarding theinterest towards animals has much increased. The

treatment of industrial animals, the focus is not only on

environments that surround animals have been

the productivity, but also about the welfare of the

improved and the positioning of animals at the level ofanimals. It is a very important role for both veterinarians

administration is becoming clearer. Based on suchand farmers to keep diseases under control. There isachievements made so far, the veterinary medical

always a great deal of ingenuity used by veterinarians

associations and related groups are all consideringand breeding staff to check their animals' health or topositive action.

enrich the environment for better zoo animal welfare.
[Slide 12] And at this very moment, here right now, theAs a professional veterinarian, I have been promoting

International Conference on Animal Care in Kobe isanimal protection and welfare by being involved inbeing held and reports about our work, research andrelevant activities. We are also involved in healthactivities in every field will be presented over a 2 day

inspections for the stable and safe supply of animal

period. I'm sure there will be a lot of ideas exchanged

products along with other activities such as preventing

based on real practical daily experience. Knowing about

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what goes on within other fields is a great chance toprove that animal welfare is connected to all people's

widen our perspectives. Sharing our knowledge andwelfare and use convincing evidence. We also need toissues is very important. I am certain that sharing all our

clarify the common idea of animal welfare being public

hardships and joys with others can revitalize our sense

welfare. It would be intriguing to find a way to lighten

of humanity in ourselves. The synergistic effect of ourup the world with an idea of, let's say, animal-mediatedcombined energy and motivations will lead thissociology.

conference to a higher dimension in the future.
[Slide 16] But let us just first send out concrete ways to[Slide 13] The direction of this conference can beachieve the more happiness for pet animals. We needexpressed as a vector that indicates the remarkableto show the world how the happiness of pets alsosocial and scientific progress we are making in every

brings happiness to people keeping them in theirfield. And this vector will keep extending as long as thehomes. It would be wonderful if this conference could

doctors and all the people in the activities devotecontribute to the development of animal-mediatedthemselves to their tasks.

sociology filled with compassion and to building apeople-friendly society where people and animals can

Needless to say it is very important to have a goodco-exist in harmony.

intercommunication and cooperation between eachfield and I think it would be wonderful if the people
from each field could meet regularly at an International
Conference on Animal Care in Kobe. Our team work will
surely produce a synergy effect that will result increating an enormous advantage of scale that attracts
the mass and Internet media to make reports from theconference. All of this will accelerate the messages wewish to be instilled into people. For this reason, I think
we all should be aware of the significance of thisconference and the importance of cooperation withother groups and organization. As we all know, there's
always your share of responsibility when you co-exist
with others.
[Slide 14] Dr. Ichida introduced his experience ofevacuation with pets after the Kobe earthquake in histalk and there are many other cases like this such as the
Chuetsu earthquake which happened in Niigata
Prefecture. There are some differences between urban
and rural cases but I think it is necessary to start thediscussion, deliberation and practice of keeping pets on
the presumption that we evacuate with pets in a timeof disaster. The formulation of countermeasures against
disaster is an urgent issue too.
[Slide 15] Activities for animals are not limited to thosepeople who are simply fond of animals. It is our job to26

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Thank you very much.

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山口千津子

Chizuko YAMAGUCHI
社団法人

日本動物福祉協会

獣医師調査員

Veterinary Inspector, Japan Animal Welfare Society
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.

were initiated in Kobe. That was the first time in Japan.

Thank you for joining us here today. I

So for this reason, I think it is significant and appropriate

am Chizuko Yamaguchi supportingto hold an international conference for the welfare ofthis international conference as one ofpeople and all animals in this place, Kobe.

the advisors.
As we all know, we make use of animals in many ways;
Our Hanshin Branch of the Japan

there are the farmed animals that eventually become

Animal Welfare Society took part as one of the members

part of our own bodies, the animals that entertain us atin the Great Hanshin Awaji Earthquake Animal Rescue

zoos, assistance dogs that support human functions,

Headquarters which was established to save the many

and animals being raised in schools. There are dogs thatanimals affected by the earthquake. Since I am based invisit nursing homes, as Dr. Shibanai showed us earlier inTokyo, I supported the rescue activities by providing

the pictures, and animals used in the development of

rescue supplies, raising funds, and sending volunteer

medicine. Our pets can also be considered as being

staff from Tokyo Area. Sometimes I myself also became‘used’ by us. These animals live in a closed environment

involved in various on-site activities.

without the freedom to do things of their own will. They
cannot go anywhere they wish, when they wish, nor

It was around 5:40 in the morning when the earthquake

can they eat what they wish to. Their lives andhit my parents' house in the same Kansai region. A little

environment are all controlled by humans and, for thisbefore the quake, the three cats we kept at homereason all the more, I think we are obligated by a moral

started crying so loud that my mother had to get up to

responsibility to ensure their welfare.

check on them. It was just at that moment that she felt
the first jolt. She told me this story later on the phone so

So what about those animals not kept by people? In

I remember it very clearly.

recent years, even the wild animals that live without
contact with people cannot live free from theFortunately, my parents' house suffered no more

byproducts of human existence such as global warming.

damage than a few cracks on the walls, but in Kobe

We owe a responsibility to those animals also because it

itself there were over 6,500 victims. There were so many

is we who keep on developing land resources, thereby

people who had to evacuate with only the clothes onnarrowing and destroying their living environments,

their back. Although they could not bring anything else

gradually driving them to extinction.

to the shelters, they did bring their dogs and cats tobecause they are of course family members. I heard theIn this conference, we are holding various kinds ofstory of one dog which had supported its master everworkshop in which we can openly discuss beyond pet-since they both survived the quake, caught within arelated topic to include other types of animal; farmed

very small gap between the pillars of a collapsed

animals, zoo animals, animals that visit schools, animals

building. That story reminded me how strongly I feel

kept at schools and all sorts of wild animals that have athat saving animals in times of disaster can also saverelationship with people in some way.

people’s souls.
Within these workshops I am hoping that we will have30

The disaster rescue activities conducted through thefruitful discussions towards having a better relationshipcooperation between the public and private sectors

between people and animals based on the “Fiveアドバイザーメッセージアドバイザーメッセージ
Advisor’s Message

Freedoms”, the basics tenets of international animal

evening. But when he became too busy with work, hewelfare.

stopped doing so. He thought that the dog would befine so long as it could roam freely inside his home. But

Let me introduce these five freedoms. The first one isbefore long he found his dog with red skin all over and‘freedom from hunger and thirst’. We should feed

continuously scratching. He took it for tests but the

animals with appropriate animal foods or according toveterinarian could not find the cause behind thetheir condition. We should provide them with fresh

symptoms until he finally asked the owner about his

water and make it available at anytime, unlessdaily life with the dog. The owner confessed that, whileprohibited for veterinary reasons.

he used to take the dog for a walk, when he becamebusier, he could barely do so once a week. The Jack

The second one is ‘freedom from discomfort’. This

Russell Terrier breed may be a small dog but it has ameans providing animals with a comfortable andbody packed with muscles that require large amount ofappropriate environment.

exercise. The cause of the skin symptoms was the stressfrom not having enough exercise outside. After learning

The third one is ‘freedom from pain, sickness and injury’.

this, the owner improved his lifestyle and made more

Animals become sick and suffer injuries just as we all do.

time to walk the dog. The animal’s condition made a

But we should take as many precautions as possible notremarkable improvement, the itching and skin redness

to allow this to happen and if it does happen we should

became less and less. This story illustrates how

provide the best veterinary treatment available.

accumulated mental stress can cause serious physicalproblems and how important it is to be free from fear

The fourth one is ‘freedom from fear and oppression’.

and oppression.

Animals have feelings like all of us. They can feel both
fear and severe stress from physical pain and also fromThe fifth freedom, the last one, is ‘freedom to live in its

mental torment. If you have a dog it is easier tonatural way’, a freedom that allows the animal tounderstand this. For example, if there is the sound of

behave according to its usual, natural and healthy way

thunder, you can see dogs shiver with fear - we knowof life. Recently, with this idea coming into thethey are afraid of thunder too. Animals also feel fear inforeground, more zoos have started to consider

such ways and too much stress can lead directly to“enrichment,” a word introduced earlier by one of thephysical problems. We say that people can lose theirspeakers. However, we can never be too careful about

hair or suffer a perforated stomach when under

the way his “enrichment” method is employed because

constant mental stress. Animals can also show suchit could have an adverse effect on the animals. For

disorders from the stress they suffer.

example, if you provide enrichment for one animal, theother surrounding animals may become intimidated by

When I was a student in a medical university hospital I

it. At this international conference, with its theme ofactually saw a dog suffering such serious mental stressproviding a healthier environment of animals, inthat it kept biting its paws.

Workshop III there will be discussions about the welfareof farmed animals, hosted by the Japanese Coalition for

I don't want to use the word “boom,” but according to

Animal Welfare. In Japan, guidelines for the welfare of

the media, there has been a big boom for small dogs.

farmed animals have finally been put on the table, justWhen people think of small dogs, many think that they

recently.

get enough exercise so long as they can walk freely
inside an apartment. Let me introduce one example of aIn the EU countries, their guidelines provide allJack Russell Terrier and its owner. In the beginning theappropriate instructions for breeding, transporting andowner took the dog out for walk every morning andslaughtering. Japan has a lot to catch up with on this

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subject. Farmed animals that provide us with eggs,

preparing an Animal Welfare course to be taught withinmeat, ham and milk are closely related to our daily life.

their curriculum.

Therefore, we as consumers should take more interestin this issue of framed animals. This issue also directly

Animal welfare has been considered a scientific agenda

relates to food safety, something that has come to ourin every country and the respective governments haveattention through problems with imported foodstuff

set up a department to take charge of it. In Japan, thefrom China. This issue is becoming more and more

Ministry of Agriculture oversees farmed animals while

important as is our understanding of the relationshipthe Ministry of the Environment is in charge of animals

between the health of animals and the health of people.

we live with, such as dogs and cats. It is not so
consolidated, and I don't know how promising they are,

These five freedoms were originally proposed in orderbut we do at least have some departments assuming

to improve the poor management of farmed animals

animal welfare issues.

that have sometimes been treated very badly. I am
convinced that these five freedoms apply not only to

The interest and attention to animals has been

farmed animals but also to animals kept at zoos andincreasing not only at government level but also at

those used for medical testing.

public level. However I have recently come to noticesome disturbing trends. The media reports news for all

Also for the pet animals that we live with, securing theirkinds of animals on TV, newspapers and magazines but

welfare is completely different from doting on them. If

there is often incorrect information or emotionally one-you say that you love your pet so much that you give it

sided opinions included. We sometimes see news about

all kinds of food you eat, it could mean that you arethe ‘top 10 most popular dogs’, or animals being treatedinflicting illness instead of loving it.

as a fashion accessory. There are stories that emphasize
a kind of ‘pseudo-emotional’ aspect to animals. I worry

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Therefore, we should always keep these five freedoms

that this kind of trend will lead the public's perception

firmly in mind, aiming for better human-animalof the human-animal relationship in the wrong

relationships by practicing animal care based on them.

direction.

Animal welfare is not an issue of emotions but an issue

I am therefore expecting this international conferenceof science, as is now recognized all over the world. I am

on animal care to provide us with a direction by whicha licensed veterinarian but I am not a practitioner. I have

we can better aim for our goal to build a better world

been far away from clinical practice but I believe that all

and society by exercising calm judgment andveterinarians are supposed to bear a responsibility fordisseminating correct information. We want a society

promoting welfare based on science. Likewise, thewhere we can live happily together with those animals

animal nurses engaged in animal medical care with thewe keep, those in the wild, and those in the wild

veterinarians.

impacted by human activities.

Since there have been many problems among

This may be a small first step but I believe that ourveterinarians, from next year on “Veterinary Ethics andmessage can be impressed on everybody through ourAnimal Welfare” will become one aspect of the national

continuous efforts and developments. So I would reallyexaminations. At some veterinary colleges they

like to thank the people at Knots who have beenoccasionally teach Animal Welfare as a subject but it has

preparing this first international conference. However

never really been a part of the curriculum. However,this is just the beginning. I would like to conclude mysince the announcement of this adoption to the

speech by stating my hopes for making changes within

national examination, many colleges have been hastily

Japanese society, within Asia and the world towards

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creating a better human-animal relationship bycontinuing this biannual conference. Thank you verymuch.

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山﨑恵子

Keiko YAMAZAKI
ペット研究会「互」主宰
Companion Animal Study Group “Go”
I’m not sure if I am able to “crown” thisWhen we think about it, we see that happy animals

event, but I am the last sp e a k e r

make happy people all the time. When animals are

anyway. First of all, let me say thankhappy, we feel happy to see them. Conversely, when we

you to everyone for attending thesee them unhappy, we cannot feel any happiness inInternational Conference on Animal

ourselves. I think this is the true starting point of theCare in Kobe 2009. Furthermore, as

relationship between people and animals. Once wesome of the other advisors havegrasp this point, a host of issues concerning topics suchalready mentioned, I would like to take this opportunity

as school animals, exhibit animals, household pets, wild

to extend my appreciation to Ms. Tominaga of Knots,

animals, etc. are clarified.

and especially to Ms. Katsuta, who has worked so hardin taking on the leadership of this conference.

Earlier, I listened with great interest to the stories about
the response to various natural disasters. At the time of

My title of “advisor” has been merely a title.

the Kobe Earthquake, I simply provided logistic support

Furthermore, two weeks ago my PC crashed so I wasin the form of collecting goods. At the time of theunable to do everything I should have done to assist. So

Miyakejima Earthquake, I adopted an elderly dog that

I want to apologize in public for that.

nobody had wanted, an animal that was still left over at
the shelter near the end. This was a Maltese that had

The overall theme of this international conference isbeen kept outdoors for ten years and it was very wild.

animal welfare. As Hiroko Shibanai mentioned earlier,

By then, it was eleven years old and nobody wanted it.

animals and people cannot be totally separated since

So Dr. Chizuko Yamaguchi of JAWS sent it to me and I

people are animals too. If we were to ask what animals

took it in.

are to people, I would say that animals ‘serve as ourbarometer of the environment’. Ever since the days of

Speaking of disasters, after the Kobe Earthquake there

our caveman ancestors we have always felt pleased towere several other large-scale disasters such as thewe hear birdsong. This is because, when there are birds

flood and earthquake disasters that struck in Niigata. In

singing in our immediate environment, it means that

Niigata there was a case in which a person was

we can comfortably assume there are no carnivorous

evacuated with an animal but was unable to enter the

animals (or other enemies) around. Plus, at least for that

evacuation center. I believe he was told that he could

moment, we have no need to worry that the weather is

not take his dog with him. So, instead, he was sleeping

getting worse. So all in all it is a sign that thein his car with his dog. Unfortunately he died due toenvironment is OK. I think that is why we feel good.

what is now termed ‘economy-class syndrome’. I havealso heard that in the United States (which is repeatedly

Actually, this is the real nature of the comfort we receive

hit by hurricanes, etc.) often many people fail tofrom animals. If we see that a bird is restless, perhaps

evacuate because they are worried whether they can

bleeding, perhaps flapping its wings in distress, we tend

leave together with their dogs or not. This is particularly

to feel bad. We ourselves become stressed. In othera problem in the case for elderly people living alone.

words, it is not that we feel a sense of comfort because

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we see animals as ‘cute’, or because they provide us

In other words, the issues of animal-accompaniedwith selfless love. It is because these creatures areevacuation and saving animals are much broader than

happy.

can be encompassed by notions such as ‘because

アドバイザーメッセージアドバイザーメッセージ
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animals are cute’, or our compassion that ‘animals areto the Five Freedoms, efforts to gauge animal welfare

deserving of our pity’, or that ‘rescuing them ishave been expanding in a variety of fields. Robert

important morally’. It is more basic - unless we save theLaidlaw of Zoocheck Canada has recently been

animals, in many instances the people living with thosemeasuring animal welfare using the “5 Ss” concept.

animals cannot be saved either. So the strong ties
between people and animals cannot be simply

The ‘Five Ss’ are, first of all, Space. How much space aredismissed. In such social situations we need to regards

the animals given?

animals and people as part of a single package. We
need to take a good look at animals. This is precisely theSecond is ‘Substrate’, which refers to the floor. Just associology that was mentioned by Dr. Tamai earlier. I

with people, the feet are of vital importance to otherthink ours is now an era in which we should include

living creatures. Every day we take off our shoes to step

animals within the context of social work.

across tatami mats. We walk on lawns and various othersurfaces but we are blissfully unaware of the fact that

I assume that one of the reasons many of you aremany livestock and zoo animals spend 90% of their lives

attending this conference is because you are animal

standing on concrete floors. If people were to do thelovers. So my wish is for animal lovers to make thissame thing they would soon undoubtedly injure theirinternational conference a forum for reaffirmation. For

knees, hips, etc. However, I don’t expect you ever thinkinstance, there are many people who now focus theirmuch about this fact. So the next time you visit a zoo or

attention on the issue of stray dogs and cats beinga farm, please pay attention to the flooring. What kinddestroyed. But there are other important issues and, asof floors are the animals standing on every day?

yet, there are still only a very few people paying
attention to them. This is a distressing situation.

Next is ‘Social Environment’ and the aim of creating asocial environment. This is different to environmental

The issue of zoos, and the display animals in those zoos,

enrichment per se. It involves preparing a social

has been brought up in discussions several times. For

environment where, for instance, animals can takeexample, the sight of bears in cages pacing repeatedly

independent action, or enabling group formations soback and forth. What does this behavior mean? It isthat the animals can act as in a natural group.

known as ‘stereotypic behavior’, a form of pathologicalbehavior that develops when an animal’s psychological

After that, comes “S” which refers to environmentalbalance is disturbed. But it is well known byenrichment ‘stimuli’. This relates to providing animals

psychiatrists as a condition that afflicts people too. Does

with appropriate stimulation. As Dr. Yamaguchi said,

anybody enjoy seeing this behavior? Any animal loverthe stimulus must be appropriate for the animals inshould not enjoy seeing such things. There are manyquestion. I have visited and checked various zoos, andyoung students of zoology and botany here. I guess you

regrettably, on many occasions I have seen situations inlove animals, which is one reason why you are studying
these fields. So I urge you to take a larger and more
panoramic view beyond the dogs and cats within yourimmediate field of view. Go take an interest in animals
in general and the kinds of environments they exist
within.
Earlier, Chizuko Yamaguchi talked about the ‘Five
Freedoms’. She said that these freedoms are applicable
to all animals. This is exactly my point also. In addition

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which predatory species and the very species they

Tokugawa Tsunayoshi. He was also known as the ‘Inu

normally prey upon located in cages or enclosures

Kubo’ or “Dog Shogun”. Maybe all of you here haveadjacent to each other. This obviously causes both types

heard about him. He is remembered for issuing theof animal to exhibit stress-induced behavior. This sort of‘Edicts on Compassion for Living Things’ (shorui

thing cannot happen in nature. The prey animals wouldawaremi no rei). This was an order from the Shogun thatalways flee to a place of safety to avoid being eaten. The

people must take care of dogs. For some time it has

predators would often be unable to catch the prey they

been called the world’s worst law, but some have hailed

normally eat – but in the zoo this prey is clearly within

it as the first animal welfare law in Japan. It would besight and smell. This results in truly severe stress forinteresting to know what people here today learned

predators and prey species alike. This is just too

about Tokugawa Tsunayoshi in school. Probably

common a sight in zoos and is far removed from thenothing. He was actually a great man who aimed at

idea of enrichment.

creating the ultimate welfare state. His innovations
were not limited to the aforementioned Edicts on

Lastly, we come to “S” for ‘shelter’. This is different from

Compassion for Living Things. He also introduced

shelters we think of tht are designed for rescued dogs

measures to help abandoned children and prisonand cats. It refers to any animal’s home and whether

reform. As part of the latter, he argued that prisoners

zoo animals or farm animals are provided with effective

are also cold in winter so he ordered that they should

spaces under which they can shelter from the wind andbe provided with extra clothes. He recognized that evenrain, or hide themselves as they may need to do. If zoo

prisoners did not like to be dirty so they should be able

animals are exhibited collectively, the individuals

to take a bath every few days. He was gentle towards

require private spaces where they can conceal

people and animals alike. I think he was the firstthemselves from each other and also to escape theJapanese leader who practiced the philosophy of happy

constant attention of human visitors. With regard toanimals, happy people. Why don’t we Japanese know

dogs and cats, for instance, a dog at least needs a crate

more about this?

to where it can retreat when startled, for example, by
nearby children screaming, etc. A cat also needs a space

Regrettably, I discovered all this information in Englishthat allows it to separate itself from the world around it,

literature. If any of you would like to read more about itsuch as a shelf in an elevated location. Whether every

in Japanese, Professor Tsukamoto of Tokyo University

animal has access to an appropriate shelter is an

researched into Tsunayoshi and wrote an account ofimportant consideration.

these things in his book. But why are these stories not
introduced in textbooks? I think the reason is that, even

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Please remember the ‘Five Ss’ in addition to the Five

within Japanese society today, there is an attitude that

Freedoms and make use of them as a happiness scale

somebody who wastes his or her time doing things forfor familiar animals.

animals, and particularly for dogs and cats, is feeble.

I wish to say one more thing. Dr. Shibanai talked earlier

A best-selling book written in Tsunayoshi’s time wasabout the Tsurezuregusa. [an ancient literary work]. I

Hagakure, a collection of commentaries that teach thethink that people in ancient times actually gave positive

way of the samurai. In Hagakure, there is a story of aconsideration to animals through showing theirfeudal lord who was trying to raise a splendid samurai.

appreciation of nature. They were skillful in their ability

He gave a noted sword to his five-year-old son andto explain about the importance of animals. I myself

made the boy cut a dog in two with it. I certainly

was born after the end of World War II but would like towouldn’t like to think that sort of thing is representative

talk about an old story from before that time. This is theof mainstream Japanese society, but I think it is very

story of the fifth of the Tokugawa shoguns called

important to change such trends as well.

アドバイザーメッセージアドバイザーメッセージ
Advisor’s Message

Lastly, I would like to relate to you what Robert Laidlaw
told me of his experiences in Japan. He said, “I visited aparticular zoo in Kanagawa Prefecture, (although I won’t tell you the name). At the time, the zoo was holding abirthday party for a 50-year-old elephant. The local
kindergarten pupils brought a lot of fruit and vegetables
and presented them to the elephant. They also
performed a ‘ kusudama-wari’ or “ festival ball”
ceremony, as is often the custom on such occasions inhuman society. This was an Asian elephant. Asianelephants in their natural state live within families ofparents and children, and especially in matrilinealgroups which means three generations of‘grandmothers, mothers and daughters’ living together
in groups of ten or more. They play with water together
and move around as a group. When I saw that birthday
party, I wandered what that elephant has been thinking
and feeling as it has passed its days standing on
concrete for the past 50 years, and my heart bleeds atthat.”
Everybody, please take some time to think about that
and, on behalf of the animals, I would like to once again
thank you all for attending this conference and for yourconsideration. Mahalo. Thank you very much.

責任感謝

Appreciation
マハロ

Responsibility
クレアナ
幸せ Happiness
ハウオリ

Advisor's Message

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