On March 4 (Wed), the “2015 BUDO-SHINKO-TAIKAI” was held at KENSEIKINENKAN, sponsored by three main sponsors: Budo Gi-in Renmei, Nihon Budo Kyogikai, and Nippon Budokan.
There, the resolutions recognized unanimously by the conference, such as the demands for making martial arts compulsory in middle schools and support for martial arts facilities, were passed on to Shimomura Hakubun, the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
Among these was an item concerning the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games, specifying “to strongly promote the adoption of karate.” (quoted below)
For the success for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games and to strongly promote the adoption of karate, the utmost should be done to support and aid the building and facilities at the Nippon Budokan, the venue for judo. And, in order to ensure the international promotion of martial arts, the Japanese martial arts representatives group and martial arts coaches should implement international promotion and give the necessary support and aid. (text from the conference decision)
Via this decision, karate and its Olympic adoption received a large push from the 3 main sponsors and the 9 karate groups that participated. This is powerful support from the “martial arts friends.”
In regards to this, JAPAN KARATEDO FEDERATION President Sasagawa Takashi gave his thanks by saying “Not just for 2020, but for 2024 and onward we aim to develop the sport while simultaneously maintaining the quality of martial arts. We ask for your support with the adoption at the Olympics, and after.”
