History of the Association

In 1890 (Meiji 23). The first head, Shingo Tanaka, was deeply impressed by British butler culture and founded Japan’s first butler association. For more than 130 years since, it has continued to support Japan’s butler culture.

The third-generation head (tōdori) is Butler Bell (Yuichi Ishii). He took office in March 2023 and is advancing a strategy of internationalization and media development, along with the founding of the Japan Butler Academy. He also serves as Representative Director of the All Japan Butler Association, incorporated in February 2025: legal documents use "Yuichi Ishii, Representative Director," while association communications use "Butler Bell, Third-Generation Tōdori."

The year 1890 (Meiji 23) is when first head Shingo Tanaka founded the association. February 19, 2025 is the date on which that association was incorporated as the All Japan Butler Association, a general incorporated association. The first marks more than 130 years of continuous work; the second marks the legal vessel built to carry that work into its next century.

“Toward an age of choosing your butler.” To deliver butler service — once a luxury reserved for a privileged few — to a wider public. We aim to establish a world-class Japanese butler culture that fuses British-style protocol with the Japanese spirit of hospitality.