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The exact wording is Zaidan Hojin Kyokushin Shogakukai. This may be translated as "Non-profit Foundation, Kyokushin Scholarship Society", or simply the Kyokushin Shogakukai Foundation. The four small characters on the certificateread Zaidan Hojin, (the first four characters in the above sentence) which designates the body as a kind of non-profit corporation recognized by, registered with and strictly supervised by the Japanese government. These Hojin hold tremendous privileges (and the concomitant responsibilities). The word Shogakukai can be translated as a "scholarship foundation", or simply "foundation". |
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The actual history of the Kyokushin Shogakukai
Foundation is interesting, but for our purposes it is sufficient to be
aware that the Zaidan Hojin Kyokushin Shogakukai (Kyokushin Shogakukai
Foundation) was first registered in the sixties in Sosai’s name to
ensure that the integrity of his karate was preserved for all time. This
Foundation was suspended temporarily on July 15, 1990, less than four
years prior to Sosai’s passing.6 It is possible that the
tremendous volume of paperwork required by the government to maintain
accountability may have ultimately become too much for Sosai. Thanks to
the efforts of Dr Umeda, however, and in accord with the very first
clause of Sosai’s Will, the sleeping giant which was the Kyokushin
Shogakukai Foundation has finally been awakened. In other words, a zaidan hojin public-interest corporation must:
Approval is dependent almost solely on the corporation's stated mission to serve the public interest. Even if all necessary conditions are fulfilled and permission is received, the corporation continues to be under close, constant supervision of the government authority, holding the corporation to high standards of honorable behavior and to its obligation to serve the public interest. Any profit-making activity must serve this more primary objective. The Kyokushin Shogakukai Foundation received its authorization from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology. Its stated mission is:
As a Zaidan Hojin it receives significant benefits that are designed to assist in taking Kyokushin Karate to everyone. These benefits may include:
It is easy to see why the demanding and very time-consuming process of registration of a zaidan hojin is so worth while. It means Kyokushin Karate can be taken to more people at a level not otherwise possible. And the large amounts of cash generated through the organization do not become the reserve of an elitist few, but are returned to the organization for the good of the members. And this returns us to Sosai’s Will. It is not surprising, in light of the benefits for the members mentioned above, that the very first article states unequivocally that Sosai wishes to see his beloved Kyokushin Shogakukai Foundation reawaken. Moreover, Sosai states who he chose to head the Foundation (as well as every other legal entity in his control) in the second and fifth clauses of the will, namely, Dr Yoshiharu Umeda, his long-time friend and advisor. Of this, there is no argument. It is in the third clause that Sosai names Mr Shokei Matsui as his successor in Kyokushin Karate. As Sosai’s karate successor, Mr Matsui, the master technician and tournament champion, is an excellent choice. In clause four, Mr Matsui’s single administrative responsibility is stated, namely, to oversee the completion of Sosai’s long-cherished dream, the building of the new Honbu Dojo. This includes the guardianship of the hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations received from dojos and members throughout Japan and the world over the years. Then Sosai made it very clear in clause five of the will that it was Dr Umeda who was to be responsible for the business side of Kyokushin. Sosai stated "I will that Dr Yoshiharu Umeda be placed in control of all matters concerning the Kyokushin Karate-do". Sosai understood fully Kyokushin Karate’s potential for generating large amounts of money, so he did what was necessary to ensure Kyokushin would not become the profit-making business of one or a handful of self-serving people. And in doing so, he demonstrated his total trust in Dr Umeda. It is a testimony to Sosai’s greatness that all that was Kyokushin Karate was not registered in his personal name for his personal benefit, but as a zaidan hojin non-profit foundation for the benefit of all. Sosai rose above common temptation to selfishly line his own pockets with the vast financial returns from the twelve million-odd Kyokushin Karate members, tournament returns and other promotions over the years. And to continue the selfless ideal of nsuring that Kyokushin Karate remains for all, it was absolutely necessary to ensure the Kyokushin Shogakukai Foundation was made secure. Well, finally it has been. And by none other than Sosai’s closely trusted friend, Dr Yoshiharu Umeda. Indeed, it was Dr Umeda alone who could have made the rebirth of Sosai’s Kyokushin Shogakukai Foundation possible. For it was he alone who was so clearly trusted by Sosai Oyama to carry out such an important duty as well as by the government authorities approving the foundation. Dr Umeda, as requested in Clause Five of Sosai’s will, was made President of the IKO. In that role and once again in accordance with Clause Five of the will, Dr Umeda acted as an Advisor overseeing the activities of Mr Matsui. Shihan Hatsuo Royama was also selected as IKO Executive Advisor by the IKO Executive Committee. Yet, after years of continued positive advice and attempts to work together with Mr Matsui, it was clear that Mr Matsui was not responsive to their guidance and the priorities that Sosai had wished. These pillars of Kyokushin Karate consequently decided to leave Mr Matsui and forge on to fulfill the expressed wishes of Sosai themselves. In April 2003, after many months of demanding negotiations with the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Dr Umeda finally succeeded in reregistering Sosai’s Kyokushin Shogakukai Foundation. This returns people to the centre of importance through taking the focus from profit-making and placing it back on the development and education of the students, in accordance with the Kyokushin Shogakukai Foundation’s stated objectives. Very significant is the fact that the Kyokushin Shogakukai Foundation is the government-recognized legal owner of the names International Karate Organization and Kyokushinkaikan, the kanku mark, the kanji and all logos registered to Kyokushin Karate prior to Sosai’s passing. The Kyokushin Shogakukai Foundation always was and shall continue to be the legally recognized owner of all names and marks. This is of course very important and will have major ramifications in the near future as the government in Japan moves to enforce this point. The only Kyokushin Karate organization in Japan authorized by the government to use the names and registered marks is the one recognized by the Kyokushin Shogakukai Foundation, i.e., that of Dr Umeda and Shihan Royama. In a nutshell, Dr Umeda is the President of the Kyokushin Shogakukai Foundation, Kyokushin-Kan. He has placed Shihan Hatsuo Royama as the Chairman. The work of Dr Umeda and Shihan Royama may act as the most important calming influence yet, potentially able to once again reunite all like-minded followers of Sosai and Kyokushin Karate into a single, mighty movement. Kyokushin is one; let us focus on working towards a true and united expression of Mas Oyama’s Karate and the beautiful, priceless philosophy it represents. It is now in the hands of the leaders of the various groups to put aside personal motives and consider the ultimate good of Kyokushin for the students of this generation and the generations to come. Special thanks to Shihan Cameron Quinn,General Secretary, International Division, Kyokushin Shogakukai Foundation |
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