Shoji Yoshisato
Representative of the 20th World Kendo Championships Executive Committee

We would like to announce that the Executive Committee for the 20th World Kendo Championships (20WKC) has officially launched.

Following the successful conclusion of the 1st Asia-Oceania Kendo Championships (1AOKC) in May, now, Kendo practitioners from around the world are focusing on their attention to the 20WKC, which will be held in Tokyo next May. We would like to announce that Japan, the hosting country for the 20WKC, has launched the Executive Committee from today. Now we will start the whole preparations for the event.

Since the first Championships (１WKC) was held at the Nippon Budokan in 1970 with the participation of 17 countries and regions, the WKC has been held every three years and has continued to develop into the biggest international Kendo event; where Kendo practitioners from around the world can gather. Including women’s championships started from 10WKC. Throughout its history, WKC has been developed more than a competition; it has also become a big opportunity to build friendship and mutual trust among Kendo practitioners by sharing the ideas of Kendo. For the upcoming Championships, participation from approximately 65 countries and regions is expected.

As this milestone of the 20WKC approaches, we would like to share its concept: “A Legacy for Tomorrow”. Our official slogan will be “Carry the Tradition. Forge Ahead”. In future series, we will introduce the background of this event and share the episodes and ideas of WKC.

As a hosting country and its organizing Federation, Japan and the All Japan Kendo Federation (AJKF) will deliver our best to make the event successful, but most importantly, we will focus on our important mission; as a birthplace of Kendo, we will Welcome all the practitioners from around the world and share the philosophy and culture of Kendo to the future. Preparations are ongoing by each official of AJKF, the hosting Federation including all the FIK affiliated organizations, public relations, fundings, competition management officials, venue operation officials, etc.

Now, we are pleased to launch a serialized column to lead up 20WKC. Through the articles, we would like to share our activities and ideas of the members who are responsible for the Championships in various fields. We sincerely hope this column series can bring life to 20WKC.

With 10 months away for the next Championships, we hope this series can allow readers to share the excitement of the 20WKC and follow this journey with us to make the event successful.

*Published in the August 2026 issue of the monthly magazine *Kenso*