Seattle Go Center sues Nihon Ki-in Japan

[jts]

So, I looked at the 2011 figures, where we had 2 Kansai Kiin pros, 3 Nihon Kiin pros, 2 Korean pros, 5 Chinese pros, and 10 pros from the US/Canada/Europe. This year the comparable numbers are 1/0/2/1/9. I think the real question is whether the Seattle Go imbroglio scandalized the Chinese pros - I'm not sure what else could have kept four of them away from North Carolina.

[Redbeard]

I really think that this talk of the Nihon Ki-in boycotting the AGA congress or being insulted by Seattle hosting the 2013 USGC is baseless supposition by people who are not directly involved on either side of the issue. I have no information proving that these theories false, but at the same time I have seen nothing to indicate that they might be true. I would appreciate it if the discussion could be kept to known facts about the issue and not wild speculation.

[illluck]

I don't see how the lawsuit could have affected Chinese players - is there a reason they'd know (or care) about it?

I don't think Japanese players would be influenced either, except if normally the notification for registration goes out from the Ki-in.

[lemmata]

I think the real question is whether the Seattle Go imbroglio scandalized the Chinese pros - I'm not sure what else could have kept four of them away from North Carolina.

The east coast is an extra 3000 miles of air travel on top of an already long trip from the East Asia. Perhaps money played a role? Wasn't the last one on the west coast?

[Hsiang]

So, I looked at the 2011 figures, where we had 2 Kansai Kiin pros, 3 Nihon Kiin pros, 2 Korean pros, 5 Chinese pros, and 10 pros from the US/Canada/Europe. This year the comparable numbers are 1/0/2/1/9. I think the real question is whether the Seattle Go imbroglio scandalized the Chinese pros - I'm not sure what else could have kept four of them away from North Carolina.

The numbers depend on how you count. Officially, we have two pros from China each year. In 2012, one of them had trouble with visa and could not make it. So, it is Hillary's fault. ^^ But, no, it had nothing to do with Seattle.

As for Nihon Kiin, there were reasons why they withdrew their pros from the 2012 Congress and indeed it had to do with SGC. But all problems are cleared now and we may safely expect normal exchange to resume in 2013.

[Redbeard]

As for Nihon Kiin, there were reasons why they withdrew their pros from the 2012 Congress and indeed it had to do with SGC. But all problems are cleared now and we may safely expect normal exchange to resume in 2013.

Could you elaborate on this? How do you come by your information?

[illluck]

As for Nihon Kiin, there were reasons why they withdrew their pros from the 2012 Congress and indeed it had to do with SGC. But all problems are cleared now and we may safely expect normal exchange to resume in 2013.

Could you elaborate on this? How do you come by your information?

http://www.usgo.org/who-aga

VP - International Thomas Hsiang

[Redbeard]

As for Nihon Kiin, there were reasons why they withdrew their pros from the 2012 Congress and indeed it had to do with SGC. But all problems are cleared now and we may safely expect normal exchange to resume in 2013.

Could you elaborate on this? How do you come by your information?

http://www.usgo.org/who-aga

VP - International Thomas Hsiang

Yes, but that does not explain who he talked to about the issue or the specific reason the Nihon Ki-in withdrew their pros from the 2012 Congress. If anyone is going to make such a statement, AGA officer or not, they should be able follow it up with details.

[badukJr]

So, I looked at the 2011 figures, where we had 2 Kansai Kiin pros, 3 Nihon Kiin pros, 2 Korean pros, 5 Chinese pros, and 10 pros from the US/Canada/Europe. This year the comparable numbers are 1/0/2/1/9. I think the real question is whether the Seattle Go imbroglio scandalized the Chinese pros - I'm not sure what else could have kept four of them away from North Carolina.

The numbers depend on how you count. Officially, we have two pros from China each year. In 2012, one of them had trouble with visa and could not make it. So, it is Hillary's fault. ^^ But, no, it had nothing to do with Seattle.

As for Nihon Kiin, there were reasons why they withdrew their pros from the 2012 Congress and indeed it had to do with SGC. But all problems are cleared now and we may safely expect normal exchange to resume in 2013.

Don't want to tell you guys that I told you so. But, I told you so.

Thanks to sgc for damaging relations. I hope you really appreciate and are grateful for your purpose built game hall, and use it to the fullest extent. As every other club in the usa must use a bookstore, cafe or private residence.

[shapenaji]

So, I looked at the 2011 figures, where we had 2 Kansai Kiin pros, 3 Nihon Kiin pros, 2 Korean pros, 5 Chinese pros, and 10 pros from the US/Canada/Europe. This year the comparable numbers are 1/0/2/1/9. I think the real question is whether the Seattle Go imbroglio scandalized the Chinese pros - I'm not sure what else could have kept four of them away from North Carolina.

The numbers depend on how you count. Officially, we have two pros from China each year. In 2012, one of them had trouble with visa and could not make it. So, it is Hillary's fault. ^^ But, no, it had nothing to do with Seattle.

As for Nihon Kiin, there were reasons why they withdrew their pros from the 2012 Congress and indeed it had to do with SGC. But all problems are cleared now and we may safely expect normal exchange to resume in 2013.

Don't want to tell you guys that I told you so. But, I told you so.

Thanks to sgc for damaging relations. I hope you really appreciate and are grateful for your purpose built game hall, and use it to the fullest extent. As every other club in the usa must use a bookstore, cafe or private residence.

Really? you're going to start up with this again?

Edited to be less inflammatory:
The SGC is the little guy in this, and as the records showed, they acted in good faith. I really don't see why the Nihon Kiin is receiving your sympathies. Seems like Stockholm syndrome.

EDIT: And as has been already stated, numerous times, they've been paying for everything, what exactly are they supposed to be grateful for?

[speedchase]

Don't want to tell you guys that I told you so. But, I told you so.

Thanks to sgc for damaging relations. I hope you really appreciate and are grateful for your purpose built game hall, and use it to the fullest extent. As every other club in the usa must use a bookstore, cafe or private residence.

What to you mean told you so? the post you cite as evidence is, as far as we know wild speculation.

[Redundant]

Even if it were the case where the Nihon Kiin is being vindictive in not sending pros to congress, I'd still rather have a Seattle Go Center than a couple of Nihon Kiin pros here for a week.

[Redbeard]

I haven't seen this posted anywhere else and I wanted to bring this thread to a conclusion for posterity. This e-mail was sent to all SGC members on Friday Dec. 21 2012.

---
Subject: [Seattle Go Center] New Lease and Management Agreement with Nihon Ki-in
Date: Fri, 21 Dec 2012 10:37:20 -0800


Seattle Go Center Records Formalized Lease and Management Agreement with the Nihon Ki-in

The Board of Directors of the Seattle Go Center is pleased to announce that
we have signed a new agreement with the Nihon Ki-in, providing for our
continued management and occupancy of the Iwamoto Building in support of our
mission to promote the game of Go and encourage cultural exchange in the
spirit of Iwamoto-sensei. The lease term runs through 2016, with the Go
Center having the option to renew through 2021. The official documents were
recorded in Seattle this morning, Dec. 21, 2012. To a large extent, this new
agreement simply formalizes the understanding the two organizations have
always had, and ensures that misunderstandings will not occur in the future.

On behalf of the entire Seattle Go Center community, the Directors express
heart-felt thanks to the Nihon Ki-in, and particularly to President Norio
Wada. This agreement, which not only formally extends the relationship
between our two organizations, but reaffirms our ties to one another, was
only made possible by the vision and leadership the Nihon Ki-in provided
throughout this process.

The Seattle Go Center remains deeply grateful to the Nihon Ki-in for its
support, generosity, and guidance since the Seattle Go Center's inception in
1994. We will strive to justify their faith in us, now and far into the
future.

For more information, please contact the Manager of the Go Center, Brian
Allen, at http://www,seattlegocenter.org.
---

This agreement officially ends the misunderstanding between the two organizations and all legal action is being withdrawn. This is a much better outcome that I anticipated and I am grateful to everyone on both sides of the argument who had the maturity to listen to each other and resolve this issue. Now, let's get back to the game, Ok?

[Javaness2]

I am very happy that this was solved satisfactorily for both parties.

[burrkitty]

Thank heaven that is over. I would have been enormously upset if the SGC had closed right after I moved to the area. The existence of the SGC in Seattle was one of the top reasons I chose UW for grad school. I'm really relieved that a major reason I moved across almost the whole beeping country hasn't been yanked out from under me before I even got to visit.