Agility in Japan

Japan has been open to trade to the West since 1854, thanks to Commodore Perry and his treaty, but their history and culture are still a mystery of the East.  Theirs was an insular culture, and that tendency is continuing today in Agility.  While there is agility in the country, and there are many title-holding dog and handler pairs, Japan announced it would no longer be participating in the international agility trials.  While individual handler and dog teams can presumably go to other countries to trial if they so desire, there will be no Japanese team.  Japanese dogs, such as the Shiba Inu and the Akita are not entirely uncommon in agility, as compact, high drive and muscular dogs.  Watch out, though! Neither dog is for the beginning trainer.