Japan Chess Association

The Japan Chess Association (日本チェス協会 Nihon Chesu Kyōkai, JCA) was the governing chess organization in Japan and was affiliated to FIDE. However, having never been registered as a non-profit organization or any other kind of juridical entity in Japan, it is considered a personal business of its representative. In order to participate in the 2006 and 2010 Asian Games chess competitions, it temporarily joined the Japanese Olympic Committee as an associate member but later withdrew. Similarly, it joined the Japan Anti-Doping Agency (JADA) but later withdrew.
Since the passing of former president Yasuji Matsumoto in January 2003, the post of president was vacant. JCA had no vice-president, board of directors, or auditors. Miyoko Watai was the self-appointed "acting president", although in principle that title could not be used officially since the previous president's terms of office had long since expired.
As described further below, JCA was repeatedly criticized due to the lack of financial transparency, as well as behaviour contradicting the regulations of the parent federation, FIDE.
In January 2019, the National Chess Society of Japan [ja] replaced JCA as the governing chess organization in Japan. In 2023, NCS Japan changed its name to Japan Chess Federation. The new national organisation has a board, has published accounts, and published lists of members.
Items in bold indicate FIDE-rated events.
There were no elections after the death of former president Matsumoto. Since JCA was not a juridical person it was not subject to auditing, and it refused to disclose financial information to its members.
JCA regulations stated that "JCA shall entrust business involving financial risks to KK Japan Chess Association Business Division (JCAB)" . In addition, in order for members to participate in the administration, it was necessary first to form a regional club federation and then appoint a representative to a board meeting. However, members of the board meeting are required to keep a confidentiality agreement and therefore regular members cannot get hold of any financial information concerning JCA.
JCA resold a variety of chess products. Although JCA claimed to offer “special prices for members” as one of the perks of membership, almost all products are offered at above market rates, with some products costing up to double the price charged elsewhere. In addition, the only books in the "Recommended for Beginners" section are two books authored by Miyoko Watai.
The FIDE Laws of chess, article 8.3 states that "the scoresheets are the property of the organiser of the competition", implying the paper used to score the game is property of the organiser. In JCA's Japanese translation, however, that article is translated as "the scoresheets, as well as its recorded contents, are the property of the organiser of the competition" (bold added for emphasis). This goes against the chess tradition of considering chess scores as public domain once published.
In case a member publishes an opinion or proposal concerning JCA using the internet, that in itself is considered grounds for automatically rejecting the proposal. In addition, such a member can be subject to penalties.
JCA requires players competing in international events to cover the expenses of JCA's so-called "officers".
In 2013, major organization mishaps occurred in the Japan Championship, in the Women's Championship and in the Japan League.