The JOIGA standard

Article 1 (Name) / 第1条（名称） This corporation shall be called the Japan Outdoor Instructors and Guides Association (JOIGA). In Japanese, it shall be referred to as 一般社団法人日本アウトドアインストラクターズ・ガイズ協会.

Article 2 (Office Location) / 第2条（主たる事務所の所在地） The principal office of the corporation shall be located at: 885-3 Soga, Niseko-cho, Abuta-gun, Hokkaido, Japan 048-1522

Article 3 (Purpose) / 第3条（目的） This corporation aims to:

1. Promote equality, collaboration, and dialogue among outdoor tourism operators in Japan.
2. Enhance the quality and safety of guiding and instruction through continuous education.
3. Address the issue of illegal guiding activities and support lawful, ethical business practices.
4. Serve as a legitimate and supportive industry body representing professionals in outdoor tourism.

Article 4 (Activities) / 第4条（事業） To achieve the above purposes, the corporation shall engage in the following:

1. Organizing forums and workshops for members
2. Developing training and certification programs
3. Promoting self-regulation standards and safety codes
4. Publishing materials and guidelines
5. Advocacy and industry representation
6. Other activities necessary to achieve the corporation’s objectives

All members of JOIGA are legally registered entities, businesses or organizations actively engaged in outdoor tourism and related fields in Japan. As members, we voluntarily commit to following all national laws, regional regulations, and local rules relevant to our activities. We believe that upholding these standards strengthens the industry, builds trust with the public, and contributes to a safer, more professional outdoor tourism environment.

Article 5 (Membership) / 第5条（会員） Membership shall be limited to registered businesses or organizations involved in outdoor tourism and related activities.

Article 6 (Membership Fees) / 第6条（会費） There shall be no membership fee required at the time of incorporation. Future fees may be introduced with the approval of the General Assembly.

Article 7 (Directors and Representative) / 第7条（理事および代表理事）

1. The Corporation may have one or more Representative Directors.
2. The initial Representative Director shall be Clayton Kernaghan.
3. Other founding members shall serve as general members with no board titles at this time.

Article 8 (Appointment) / 第8条（選任） The Representative Director shall be appointed by mutual agreement of the founding members and recorded in the minutes of the organizational meeting.

Article 9 (Fiscal Year) / 第9条（事業年度） The fiscal year of the corporation shall begin on August 8 and end on July 31 of the following year.

Article 10 (Accounting Principles) / 第10条（会計の原則） The corporation’s accounts shall be maintained in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for non-profit organizations in Japan.

Article 11 (Member Conduct and Standards) / 第11条（会員の行動および基準） All members shall:

1. Ensure that all employees possess valid work visas, are legally employed and paying local and national taxes in Japan.
2. Adhere to JOIGA’s safety and conduct guidelines once established.
3. Operate with professionalism, transparency, and respect for the environment and local communities.
4. Report violations of standards that may endanger clients, staff, or the reputation of the outdoor tourism industry.
5. If operating accommodation, hold the appropriate lodging business license.
6. If conducting multiday, multi-resort, or multi-area tours, hold the proper travel operator license.
7. If conducting mechanized ski tours, obtain and maintain all required land use permissions.
8. Comply with all national, regional, and local laws relevant to their operations.
9. Clearly display all required licenses and permissions granted on the organization’s “About Us” or “Who We Are” page.

Article 12 (Disciplinary Action) / 第12条（懲戒） If a member is found to be in serious violation of these rules, JOIGA may issue a warning, suspend, or revoke membership, subject to a vote by the board or a designated ethics committee.

Article 13 (Amendment of Articles) / 第13条（定款の変更） Amendments to this Articles of Incorporation must be approved by a majority of the members present at the General Assembly.

Article 14 (Dissolution) / 第14条（解散） Upon dissolution, any remaining assets shall be transferred to a non-profit organization with similar objectives, as decided by the General Assembly.

Article 15 (Compliance with Laws) / 第15条（法令の遵守） Matters not specified in these Articles shall be governed by the relevant provisions of the Civil Code and applicable laws in Japan.

Date of Incorporation: August 8, 2025

Founding Members:

• Clayton Kernaghan (Representative Director)
• Philip John Howell (Hokkaido Vibes, Board Member)
• Benjamin Harding (Niseko Black, Board Member)
• Callum McWilliam (Elite Snowsports, Board Member)