JKA Foundation
Encyclopedia
The is the regulating body for pari-mutuel keirin
and auto race
competitions in Japan
. These sports - two of Japan's four authorized where gambling is permitted
- were originally regulated by two separate organizations. These sports and organizations were brought under the authority of the JKA on April 1, 2008.
The current chairwoman of the JKA is Akiko Shimojū, a former announcer for the NHK
.
Keirin
Prior to the JKA's founding, keirin races were overseen by the , or Japan Keirin Association, often abbreviated NJS. Today the present JKA is responsible for fostering Japan's bicycle
industry and regulating keirin racing in Japan.
In addition to licensing keirin racers, the association sets specifications for frames and parts such as wheel size, spoke count, frame geometry, and even weight and material of components. These requirements were established in 1957 in an attempt to prevent any racers from having equipment-related advantages.
Because the foundation's main objective is supporting the Japanese cycling market, its bureaucracy is notoriously critical of foreign manufacturers attempting to enter the Japanese market. The Italian cycling equipment manufacturer Campagnolo has, though, received keirin racing certification.
A common misconception regarding certification is that it is a mark of quality, when in fact it is simply a mark of standardization; parts stamped with the NJS logo have become fashionable in recent years with some Western cyclists.
Auto Race
Japan's auto race industry was overseen by the prior to the founding of the JKA.
Keirin
is a track cycling event in which racing cyclists sprint for victory. Keirin originated in Japan in 1948; the first Olympic competitions in the sport occurred in 2000....
and auto race
Auto Race
is a Japanese version of motorcycle speedway, but combines gambling added into it and is held on an asphalt course, throughout Japan. It is regulated by the JKA Foundation.A typical Auto Race bike is 599㏄. Autorace is predominantly a gambling sport...
competitions in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. These sports - two of Japan's four authorized where gambling is permitted
Gambling in Japan
Gambling in Japan is generally banned by the Criminal Code chapter 23, however there are several exceptions, including betting on horse racing and certain motor sports....
- were originally regulated by two separate organizations. These sports and organizations were brought under the authority of the JKA on April 1, 2008.
The current chairwoman of the JKA is Akiko Shimojū, a former announcer for the NHK
NHK
NHK is Japan's national public broadcasting organization. NHK, which has always identified itself to its audiences by the English pronunciation of its initials, is a publicly owned corporation funded by viewers' payments of a television license fee....
.
KeirinKeirinis a track cycling event in which racing cyclists sprint for victory. Keirin originated in Japan in 1948; the first Olympic competitions in the sport occurred in 2000....
Prior to the JKA's founding, keirin races were overseen by the , or Japan Keirin Association, often abbreviated NJS. Today the present JKA is responsible for fostering Japan's bicycleBicycle
A bicycle, also known as a bike, pushbike or cycle, is a human-powered, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other. A person who rides a bicycle is called a cyclist, or bicyclist....
industry and regulating keirin racing in Japan.
In addition to licensing keirin racers, the association sets specifications for frames and parts such as wheel size, spoke count, frame geometry, and even weight and material of components. These requirements were established in 1957 in an attempt to prevent any racers from having equipment-related advantages.
Because the foundation's main objective is supporting the Japanese cycling market, its bureaucracy is notoriously critical of foreign manufacturers attempting to enter the Japanese market. The Italian cycling equipment manufacturer Campagnolo has, though, received keirin racing certification.
A common misconception regarding certification is that it is a mark of quality, when in fact it is simply a mark of standardization; parts stamped with the NJS logo have become fashionable in recent years with some Western cyclists.