Minutes: International Board of Directors' Meeting 2008

Date: January 8, 2008
Time: 13:00 to 17:00
Venue: Japan Karate Association Meeting Room

The meeting was called to order. Of the sixteen directors, twelve were present, and the other four submitted proxies. All requirements of Article 12 being met, it was declared that the meeting was lawful, and that any resolutions could be resolved with a majority of votes. As Chairman of the meeting, Mr. Nobuyuki Nakahara was elected unanimously, and he declared the meeting to be open.

Agenda-1

1. Review of world organization and the Rules and Regulations pertaining thereto

Various pertinent explanations were made by Mr. Ueki, active discussions took place, and the following resolutions were approved:

1. Delete sub-item #2 of Article 6 ("The above regions are autonomous in operation within the limitations of these Rules and Regulations"). Also delete sub-item #2 of Article 8 ("Each country shall submit the annual Communications Fee to the JKA/WF secretariat through the regional office to which it belongs").

2. As for Article 7 of the Rules and Regulations, and sub-item 1 of Article 1 of the Bylaws:

The following was resolved: In principle there will be one single JKA-approved organization per country. However, if under certain circumstances this proves not to be feasible, and/or not in the best interests of the JKA students, JKA HQ will be obliged, as the only solution, to establish an umbrella entity for plural JKA-approved organizations in the country. In such cases JKA HQ will make all due effort to unify those organizations.

3. As for Article 6 of the Rules and Regulations, sub-item 1:

The following was resolved and reconfirmed: geographically contiguous countries may decide to set up a voluntary regional organization. Such voluntary organizations are not controlling organizations, not wielders of any kind of supra-national power over member countries. Their primary roles are to:

1. Foster region-wide friendship.
2. Hold regional championships.
3. Hold gasshuku.

4. Granting of Kyu-grading exam rights to qualified foreign karate-ka

JKA HQ announced that it has decided to give Kyu-grading exam rights to qualified foreign karate-ka, effective as of April 1, 2008. The two requisite qualifications are:

1. For the first two years, holders of D-kyu examination rights; from the third year on, holders of C-kyu examination rights.
2. Dojo heads and dojo instructors.

Agenda-2

Issuance of Kyu certificates for foreign karate-ka

Chairman Nakahara explained that JKA HQ has decided to issue formal Kyu certificates, from 1st to 8th Kyu, for overseas karate-ka. These certificates, which will be offered at a reasonable price to be determined and announced in due course by JKA HQ, will be serially numbered by country, and will be registered at and maintained by JKA HQ.

Agenda-3

Funakoshi Gichin Cup 11th World Karate-Do Championships

Mr. Ueki made explanations, and the following three items were resolved:

1. Time (depending upon availability of Nippon Budokan)

First Choice: August 22-23, 2009 (Sat/Sun)
Second Choice: August 8-9, 2009 (Sat/Sun)

2. Referee committee

The Chief Referee will nominate qualified senior instructors to serve on a committee which will be in charge of assigning referees for all matches.

3. On that occasion there will be a ceremony commemorating the 60th anniversary of JKA.

4. On that occasion awards of distinction will be given.

Each region will recommend about three candidates to JKA HQ for these awards. After various deliberations, awardees will be decided. The decision as to whether an award should be a ChairmanÍs award or a merit-service award will be made by JKA HQ.

Agenda-4

Holding of JKA HQ gasshuku

Mr. Ueki made explanations, and the following were resolved:

1. JKA HQ gasshuku will be held for the purpose of unifying and enhancing overall JKA karate techniques, conducting various qualifications exams, and giving courses on refereeing.
2. After talking to prospective candidate countries, JKA HQ will decide on which of them will host such gasshuku.
3. Such host countries are responsible to do their best to gather as many participants as possible.
4. As for expenses, JKA HQ and the host countries will make separate consultations and reach agreement on necessary arrangements.

Agenda-5

1. Reports from attending countries

Attending national executive members and observers gave individual reports on their current situations.

2. Shift from ISKF Dan to JKA Dan

As for the shift from ISKF Dan to JKA Dan, the deadline of Dec 31, 2007 has been extended for nine months: until the end of September 2008, the Dan registration fee for shifted JKA Dan is free of charge, though a US $50 handling fee is required.