About IBMA Kyokushin Kai

Who May Apply for Affiliation

Organizations and dojos that support the principles and purposes of IBMA Kyokushin Kai and wish to establish an ongoing cooperative relationship may apply for affiliation while retaining their existing organization name, dojo name, affiliation, and form of operation.

Affiliation is primarily intended for the following organizations, dojos, and instructors:

• Organizations and dojos that value the history, spirit, and techniques of Kyokushin Karate
• Organizations and dojos interested in preserving and studying the fundamentals, kata, techniques, and training systems of Kyokushin Karate
• Organizations and dojos that emphasize human development and instructor education through budo
• Organizations and dojos interested in budo education, youth development, international exchange, or social contribution
• Organizations and dojos that wish to cooperate and exchange with others while maintaining their independence
• Instructors who support the principles of IBMA Kyokushin Kai and wish to begin teaching Kyokushin Karate or establishing a dojo

Independence After Affiliation

The independence of each affiliated organization and dojo will continue to be respected after affiliation with IBMA Kyokushin Kai.

• Organization or dojo name
• History and record of activities
• Representatives and instructors
• Teaching policies and training content
• Organizational structure and management methods
• Membership systems and fees
• Financial and day-to-day management
• Independent activities within the local community
• Cooperative relationships with other organizations

Affiliation with IBMA Kyokushin Kai does not require these matters to be changed or standardized.

However, activities using the name or official recognition of IBMA Kyokushin Kai must comply with separately established regulations and standards in order to protect public trust, safety, and the value of its qualifications.

Responsibilities of Affiliated Organizations and Dojos

While respecting the independence of every organization and dojo, we ask affiliated members to understand and cooperate with the following principles in order to maintain a responsible and trustworthy relationship:

• Respect the principles, regulations, and ethical standards of IBMA Kyokushin Kai
• Maintain safe and appropriate instruction and training environments
• Respect the dignity, safety, rights, and personal development of practitioners
• Protect the public credibility of ranks and instructor qualifications
• Respect other affiliated organizations, dojos, and martial arts organizations
• Cooperate in providing necessary activity reports and updating registration information
• Contribute to the preservation, study, and development of Kyokushin Karate and the cultivation of future generations
• Cooperate, where reasonably possible, with IBMA activities relating to human development, instructor education, international exchange, and community or social contribution

Affiliated organizations and dojos are not required to participate in every project conducted by IBMA. Cooperation should be developed according to each organization’s location, size, field of expertise, and circumstances.

The Difference Between Affiliation and Official Recognition

Affiliation

Affiliation is the initial stage for organizations and dojos that support the principles and activities of IBMA Kyokushin Kai and wish to establish an ongoing relationship of exchange and cooperation.

Affiliated organizations and dojos may deepen mutual understanding by participating in seminars, joint training, research activities, instructor development, domestic and international exchange, and social initiatives.

Official Recognition

Official recognition is granted after an affiliated organization or dojo has participated for an appropriate period and has undergone an assessment of its activities, instructional structure, qualified personnel, safety management, ethics, and organizational management.

An officially recognized organization or dojo may identify itself as an officially recognized organization or dojo of IBMA Kyokushin Kai within the scope of the applicable regulations.

Neither affiliation nor official recognition grants authority, control, or organizational superiority over any other affiliated organization or dojo.

Official Ranks and Instructor Qualifications

IBMA Kyokushin Kai is developing systems for officially recognized ranks and instructor qualifications in order to assess the results of budo training appropriately and to foster instructors for future generations.

We do not uniformly reject or invalidate ranks and qualifications issued by existing organizations or dojos. Their respective histories and systems are respected. When recognition by IBMA Kyokushin Kai is requested, an assessment will be conducted according to separately established standards.

Official ranks and instructor qualifications are not granted automatically upon affiliation.

Assessments consider not only technical ability, but also training history, teaching experience, commitment to safety, ethical conduct, personal character, and contributions to the development of Kyokushin Karate and budo.

Affiliation Process

1. 1. Submit the Application Form
      Provide basic information about the organization or dojo, its activities, and the reasons for seeking affiliation.
   2. Review of the Application
      The IBMA Kyokushin Kai office will review the submitted information.
   3. Interview or Additional Information
      When necessary, we may request an interview with the representative or ask for additional documents.
   4. Affiliation Assessment
      We will consider the applicant’s principles, activities, instructional structure, safety management, and willingness to maintain ongoing cooperation.
   5. Notification of the Result
      The applicant will be informed of the result and any required procedures.
   6. Registration
      After the required procedures have been completed, the applicant will be registered as an affiliated organization or dojo.

Affiliation Fees and Renewal

Membership fees, registration fees, renewal procedures, and other applicable conditions will be explained by the office after the application has been reviewed.

Requirements may vary according to the size, region, and circumstances of the applicant organization or dojo. Prospective applicants are welcome to consult with us before submitting an application.

To maintain affiliation, organizations and dojos will be required to complete the designated renewal procedures, confirm their registration information, and provide any necessary activity reports.

Relationship with IBMA

IBMA Kyokushin Kai is an independent budo organization officially recognized by the International Budo Human Development Association (IBMA) and cooperates with its principles and activities.

IBMA Kyokushin Kai is responsible for the preservation, study, and development of the fundamentals, kata, techniques, training systems, and budo values of Kyokushin Karate. At the same time, through its specialization in Kyokushin Karate, it cooperates with IBMA in the following areas:

1. 1. • Human development through budo
      • Budo education and instructor development
      • Preservation, study, and communication of budo culture
      • Exchange among martial artists and organizations in Japan and abroad
      • Youth development and the cultivation of future generations
      • Contribution to local communities and society

IBMA Kyokushin Kai is not an internal division or subordinate organization of IBMA. It is an independent organization with its own regulations and operating structure. Both organizations cooperate in areas of shared principle and purpose while respecting their respective roles and independence.

Affiliation with IBMA Kyokushin Kai does not automatically constitute individual membership, full membership, or organizational affiliation with IBMA.

For information about IBMA membership and its cooperation, affiliation, and recognition systems for organizations and dojos, please visit the official IBMA website.

For Organizations Seeking Cooperation with IBMA

Organizations and dojos seeking cooperation with IBMA, including those representing karate traditions other than Kyokushin Karate or other forms of budo, should refer to IBMA’s cooperation, affiliation, and recognition systems for organizations and dojos.

Affiliation with IBMA Kyokushin Kai and cooperation, affiliation, or recognition through IBMA are separate systems with different purposes and procedures.

To Those Considering Affiliation

IBMA Kyokushin Kai seeks to build relationships through which organizations and dojos can cooperate for the future of Kyokushin Karate and budo while preserving their own histories, distinctive qualities, and independence.

Our purpose is not limited to preserving the traditions of Kyokushin Karate.

By studying its meaning and underlying principles and connecting them with human development, instructor education, international exchange, and social contribution, we seek to develop Kyokushin Karate as a form of budo that is meaningful to contemporary society and future generations.

Organizations, dojos, and instructors who share the aims of preserving and developing Kyokushin Karate and applying the value of budo to society are invited to contact us through the application page below.