Dear Branch Chiefs and Contacts,

As always, I would like to start my message, by expressing my appreciation to all of you for your dedication and hard work for our WKO.

Japan has now entered the midsummer season. Although four months have passed since the earthquake in East Japan, many people are still evacuated from their homes, and problems with the nuclear power plant still remain. There are concerns about the electricity supply in Tokyo, on whether it will be enough to meet the increase in demand, due to the rise in temperature. I believe that this issue can be solved by the patience and endurance of the Japanese people. It is indeed the Spirit of OSU (Osu no Seishin), that is required from us now.

During the months after the earthquake, many of our branches around the world have sent warm messages and relief donations to Japan, and when I visited the Swiss Open, which will be mentioned later in detail, children made donations out of their allowance. I was very moved by this, and was at a loss of words. The world is one, our hearts are one. The only way for Japan to give back what everyone has done for us, is to rebuild our country. We will do our best to do so.

The preparatory work for the World Championship is now reaching its peak. The deadline for applications was the end of June, and we have received many documents from our branches around the world. We will have the tournament draw meeting in the middle of July, and please be informed that we are planning to announce the draw to the world, by the end of the month.
As I always say, we take pride that the World Championship of WKO, is the strongest and largest tournament in the world. In order to win at such tournament, one will have to endure the hardest training in the world. Every day, during every available moment. In order to acquire the highest happiness in the world, one will need to go through the most severe suffering in the world. At this moment, all participants have the possibility to achieve this honor, and I would like to ask for all to give your best in your training.

The World Championship is also an opportunity to meet friends from around the world, all who are important. Although we will only meet for a few days, I hope we will be able to experience a great time. Here in Japan, we are doing our best in our preparation work to entertain our friends. We will make all of the necessary efforts to ensure that our friends will enjoy their stay in Japan, in a comfortable manner.

As I mentioned earlier, I was invited by the Swiss Branch to attend the 9th Swiss Open. Several European countries, as well as Russia, participated in this event. Young, developing fighters from Japan, still in their teens, also took part in the tournament. The level of the tournament was extremely high, due to the participation of the fighters in the World Championship. Thanks to the energetic leadership demonstrated by Branch Chief Peter Steinmann, the tournament was a great success. This kind of enthusiasm by our Branch Chiefs, inspire people to create groups of supporters, and this leads to the further spread of Budo Karate in the world. Once again, I would like to express my deepest respect towards the constant activities our Branch Chiefs are carrying out throughout the world.

During my stay in Switzerland, I had a productive meeting with EKO President Koen Scharrenberg, and also with many other Branch Chiefs. I would like to thank everybody for this opportunity, for there were many fruitful discussions that took place. I also had some discussions with Branch Chief Romas Vitkauskas, in which he explained that the preparatory work for the 5th World Cup in Lithuania has already started. I am convinced that we can expect a fantastic event.

Lastly, let us move towards the future in unification, by joining hands to achieve the further development of WKO. Please also remember to pay special attention to your health, and let us do our best this month as well.

OSU
Kenji Midori
President
WKO

Dear Branch Chiefs and Contacts,

As always, I would like to start my message, by expressing my appreciation to all of you for your dedication and hard work for our organization.
I know that you all have been worried about the situation in Japan ever since the earthquake on March 11th. People in the heavily hit Tohoku Region are still evacuated from their homes, and for the nuclear disaster in Fukushima Prefecture, the government has given evacuation orders to those living within a 20 kilometer radius from the nuclear power plant. As for the situation in Tokyo, the site of the World Championship, the supply of electricity, food, and water have all returned to pre-disaster levels. The WKO Headquarters is continuing to work in different ways to help the stricken areas, not only by continuing the collection of relief donations, but also by carrying out non-profit activities, such as organizing a support group of 130 people to distribute 2,400 free meals to the people living in evacuation shelters in Miyagi Prefecture on April 29th. The Japanese people have all joined hands in walking this path of reconstruction, and we ask for your continuous support towards the matter.

This last weekend, the All Japan Weight Division Championship was smoothly held in Osaka, and the Japanese National Team for the 10th World Championship has been fully selected. Since this tournament was the last opportunity for those aiming for the World Championship, the competitors fought many severe battles, and showed tremendous strength, skill and spirit. Footage of the recent European Championship held in Lithuania was shown at the tournament, and the audience seemed very interested in the high competition level of the European fighters. The World Championship is to be held in less than 5 months time, and by the end of June, we will have received the applications from all fighters. There is already high expectations for the World Championship, held once in every 4 years, where top fighters from all over the world will gather to decide the No. 1 in Karate . As I have mentioned earlier about the situation resulting from the recent earthquake in Japan, the people in Tokyo are living their normal lives. I hope many from overseas will visit Japan and attend the World Championship, with no worries.

Further, I have some sad news to give you. Branch Chief Junichi Hasegawa passed away on April 29th, due to acute cardiac insufficiency. After assuming the position of Branch Chief, not only did Mr. Hasegawa work very hard for the promotion of Budo Karate, he also made great efforts to develop strong fighters. As an honest man with consideration for others, he was trusted by many people. Also within the organization, he actively took part in promotional work as a member of the Doping Control Committee, and was a highly capable person, much needed for the further development of WKO. Since he took good care of his own health and was a very active person, we were all very shocked to receive the sad news about his death. His family will continue to run the Saitama Musashi Branch and we will assist them in whatever way we can. I pray that Mr. Hasegawa may rest in peace.

Lastly, I would like to inform you about the work we are doing regarding the Olympic Games. While continuing to have active discussions with executives of the JOC, we are pursuing the possibilities of making our dream come true. As you are all aware, the road to make this dream come true is a very long, severe path. However, we shall never give up, no matter what difficulties we are faced with. Let us join hands, and move forward, step by step.

I would like to ask for your support this month as well, which will be necessary for us to develop “Our WKO” in unity.

OSU
Kenji Midori
President
WKO
 

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