IBMA KYOKUSHIN KAI Affiliation and Certification Regulations (Draft)

IBMA Kyokushin Kai Affiliation and Certification Regulations

These Regulations establish the basic standards, procedures, rights, and responsibilities relating to affiliation and certification between IBMA Kyokushin Kai and organizations or dojos seeking to cooperate with it.

IBMA Kyokushin Kai does not, as a general rule, adopt a centralized “headquarters–branch” structure commonly seen in many Karate organizations. Instead, it builds a cooperative network with independent organizations and dojos that share common principles and values.

Article 1 — Purpose

These Regulations are intended to establish the basic rules governing affiliation and certification with IBMA Kyokushin Kai and to clarify the responsibilities and cooperative relationships among Affiliated Organizations, Affiliated Dojos, Certified Organizations, and IBMA Kyokushin Kai.

Article 2 — Basic Position of IBMA Kyokushin Kai

1. IBMA Kyokushin Kai respects the history, spirit, techniques, and value of Kyokushin Karate as Budo and seeks to preserve, study, develop, and transmit them to future generations.
2. IBMA Kyokushin Kai is an independent Budo organization that supports the philosophy of IBMA and cooperates with IBMA in areas such as Budo education, research, instructor development, international exchange, and social contribution.
3. IBMA Kyokushin Kai is not an internal division, branch, or subordinate organization of IBMA.
4. The affiliation system of IBMA Kyokushin Kai is not intended to impose uniform control over affiliated organizations or dojos, nor to require changes to their existing names, history, leadership, teaching policies, or management systems.

Article 3 — Organizational Categories

The principal organizational categories within IBMA Kyokushin Kai are as follows:

1. Affiliated Organization
2. Affiliated Dojo
3. Headquarters-operated Dojo

IBMA Kyokushin Kai does not, as a general rule, use the term “Branch” as an official organizational category.

A Headquarters-operated Dojo means a dojo that is substantially and directly managed by IBMA Kyokushin Kai headquarters with respect to operations, personnel, teaching policy, and other major matters.

Article 4 — Affiliated Dojo

An Affiliated Dojo is an independent dojo that supports the philosophy of IBMA and IBMA Kyokushin Kai and formally joins the IBMA Kyokushin Kai network after completing the prescribed affiliation review and provisional affiliation period.

An Affiliated Dojo maintains its operational independence while respecting and cooperating with IBMA Kyokushin Kai and other affiliated organizations and dojos.

Article 5 — Affiliated Organization

An Affiliated Organization is an independent organization that has an established organizational foundation, instructional structure, or continuing record of activity, supports the philosophy of IBMA and IBMA Kyokushin Kai, and becomes formally affiliated after completing the prescribed affiliation review and provisional affiliation period.

An Affiliated Organization retains respect for its own name, organization, management, activities, instructional methods, and internal systems while participating in the IBMA Kyokushin Kai network through ongoing cooperation and exchange.

Article 6 — Certified Organization

1. A Certified Organization is a formally affiliated organization that has undergone the certification review prescribed by IBMA Kyokushin Kai and is recognized as having a higher level of organizational credibility and stability.
2. The certification review shall principally consider the following matters:
   • An appropriate history and continuing record of activity
   • Sufficient organizational scale
   • A stable organizational and management structure
   • A sustainable instructional and management structure, including multiple instructors or responsible officers
   • Social credibility
   • Appropriate safety management and instructional systems
   • Understanding of and support for the philosophy of IBMA and IBMA Kyokushin Kai
   • A record of cooperation with IBMA and IBMA Kyokushin Kai, or a clear intention to cooperate in the future
   • The intention and capacity to contribute to the development of the network
   • Any other matters considered necessary by IBMA Kyokushin Kai
3. Sufficient organizational scale shall not be determined solely by the number of members. Membership size, number of instructors, activity locations, organizational structure, continuity of activities, and other relevant factors shall be considered comprehensively.
4. Certified Organization status is not a separate type of affiliation. It is a higher level of recognition granted to a formally Affiliated Organization.

Article 7 — Certified Dojo

IBMA Kyokushin Kai does not, as a general rule, establish a separate organizational category known as a “Certified Dojo.”

Dojos are principally classified as Provisional Affiliated Dojos or formally Affiliated Dojos.

The term “Certified” is used for Certified Organizations and for qualifications such as Certified Dan Rank, Certified Instructor, Certified Kyoshi, Certified Shihan, and other recognized qualifications.

Article 8 — Application for Affiliation

1. An organization or dojo seeking affiliation shall submit an application in the manner designated by IBMA Kyokushin Kai.
2. The application shall include the name and location of the organization or dojo, its representative, responsible instructor, history, activities, instructional structure, number of members, and other information considered necessary.
3. Applicants shall not make materially false statements in connection with the application.

Article 9 — Affiliation Review

1. Submission of an application does not automatically result in approval of affiliation.
2. IBMA Kyokushin Kai shall conduct a prescribed review of each affiliation application.
3. The affiliation review shall principally consider:
   • Understanding of and support for the philosophy of IBMA and IBMA Kyokushin Kai
   • Willingness to respect other organizations and dojos and build cooperative relationships
   • History and record of activities
   • Backgrounds of representatives and responsible instructors
   • Instructional and management systems
   • Safety management and sound organizational operation
   • Social credibility
   • Compliance with law, public order, and Budo ethics
   • Willingness to comply with the regulations of IBMA Kyokushin Kai
   • Any other matters considered necessary by IBMA Kyokushin Kai
4. Where necessary, IBMA Kyokushin Kai may request additional documents, interviews, confirmation of activities, or other forms of review.

Article 10 — Provisional Affiliation

1. An organization or dojo considered suitable after the affiliation review shall normally be designated as a Provisional Affiliated Organization or Provisional Affiliated Dojo for one year.
2. The Provisional Affiliation period is not intended as a period of unilateral evaluation by IBMA Kyokushin Kai, but as a period in which both parties deepen mutual understanding through actual activities and exchange and confirm whether a sustainable cooperative relationship can be established.
3. A Provisional Affiliated Organization or Provisional Affiliated Dojo shall comply with these Regulations and all other applicable regulations established by IBMA Kyokushin Kai.
4. Provisional Affiliation does not guarantee Full Affiliation or Certified Organization status.

Article 11 — Extension of the Provisional Affiliation Period

1. Where further confirmation is considered necessary before Full Affiliation is approved, IBMA Kyokushin Kai may extend the Provisional Affiliation period by one additional year.
2. As a general rule, the Provisional Affiliation period shall not exceed two years in total.

Article 12 — Full Affiliation

1. IBMA Kyokushin Kai shall review the activities, compliance with regulations, cooperative relationship, safety management, social credibility, and other relevant matters during the Provisional Affiliation period and may approve Full Affiliation where appropriate.
2. Following approval of Full Affiliation, an organization may use the designation “IBMA Kyokushin Kai Affiliated Organization” and a dojo may use the designation “IBMA Kyokushin Kai Affiliated Dojo” within the scope permitted by the applicable regulations.

Article 13 — Basic Conditions of Affiliation

Affiliated Organizations and Affiliated Dojos shall meet the following conditions:

1. Support the philosophy and objectives of IBMA and IBMA Kyokushin Kai
2. Maintain the intention and structure necessary for continuing Karate or related Budo activities
3. Clearly identify a representative or responsible officer
4. Maintain appropriate instructional and safety management systems
5. Comply with applicable law, public order, and Budo ethics
6. Have no involvement with antisocial organizations or criminal activity
7. Comply with the regulations of IBMA Kyokushin Kai
8. Cooperate with required registration, reporting, and renewal procedures

Article 14 — Relationship with IBMA Membership

1. Affiliation with IBMA Kyokushin Kai and individual or organizational membership in IBMA are separate systems.
2. Individuals connected with an Affiliated Organization or Affiliated Dojo shall register as individual members of IBMA based on their own free choice.
3. The number of IBMA General Members required for affiliation and other related conditions shall be prescribed separately in applicable guidance or regulations.
4. When applying for Certified Organization status, at least one of the representative or the person responsible for coordination with IBMA should, as a general rule, be an IBMA Full Member.

Article 15 — Independence after Affiliation

Following affiliation, the independence of each organization or dojo shall, as a general rule, be respected with regard to the following:

• Organization and dojo names
• History and record of activities
• Representatives and instructors
• Teaching policies and training methods
• Organizational structure and management
• Independent membership systems and fees
• Financial and day-to-day operations
• Independent regional activities

However, use of the IBMA Kyokushin Kai name, logos, trademarks, dan ranks, qualifications, or certification designations shall comply with the applicable regulations and any individual approvals required.

Article 16 — Reciprocal and Exchange Training

Reciprocal training, exchange training, visiting practice, or other participation in training among Affiliated Organizations and Affiliated Dojos shall be governed by separate rules or regulations to be established by IBMA Kyokushin Kai.

Affiliation or membership status alone does not automatically grant the right to train at another Affiliated Organization or Affiliated Dojo.

Article 17 — Certified Dan Ranks and Instructor Qualifications

1. Certified Dan Rank, Certified Instructor, Certified Kyoshi, Certified Shihan, and other qualifications are not automatically granted upon affiliation.
2. Existing dan ranks and qualifications held by organizations or dojos are not uniformly denied or invalidated.
3. Where recognition by IBMA Kyokushin Kai is sought, a separate review shall be conducted under the applicable standards.

Article 18 — Use of Names, Logos, and Qualifications

1. Affiliated Organizations and Affiliated Dojos may use approved affiliation designations within the scope permitted by the applicable regulations.
2. The names, logos, trademarks, dan ranks, qualifications, or other identifiers of IBMA Kyokushin Kai, IBMA, or partner organizations shall not be used, issued, certified, or granted to third parties without authorization.
3. Certification designations and other recognized qualifications may be used only during the period and under the conditions for which the relevant certification remains valid.

Article 19 — Responsibilities of Affiliated Organizations and Dojos

Affiliated Organizations and Affiliated Dojos shall endeavor to:

• Respect the philosophy, regulations, and ethics of IBMA and IBMA Kyokushin Kai
• Maintain a safe and appropriate instructional environment
• Protect the social credibility of dan ranks and qualifications
• Respect other affiliated organizations, dojos, and Budo organizations
• Cooperate with required reports and updates of registration information
• Cooperate in preserving, studying, developing, and transmitting Kyokushin Karate to future generations
• Where reasonably possible, cooperate with IBMA activities in Budo education, research, international exchange, and social contribution

Article 20 — Requests for Corrective Action

Where an Affiliated Organization or Affiliated Dojo is found to have violated these Regulations or other applicable rules, engaged in inappropriate management, created safety concerns, or engaged in conduct that may damage credibility, IBMA Kyokushin Kai may request appropriate corrective action.

Article 21 — Suspension or Other Measures

Where any of the following circumstances apply, IBMA Kyokushin Kai may, according to the seriousness and nature of the matter, issue a warning, request corrective action, suspend certain rights, temporarily suspend affiliation status, or take other appropriate measures.

• Conduct that seriously and continuously contradicts the philosophy or basic policies of IBMA or IBMA Kyokushin Kai
• Conduct that seriously damages the reputation or credibility of IBMA Kyokushin Kai or another affiliated organization or dojo
• Materially false statements in an application, renewal, or report
• Improper use of names, logos, dan ranks, qualifications, or other identifiers
• Improper issuance of dan ranks or qualifications
• Serious deficiencies in safety management
• Conduct seriously contrary to law or social standards
• Failure to take reasonable corrective action after a request for improvement
• Any other circumstance making continuation of the affiliation relationship inappropriate

Article 22 — Emergency Measures

Where serious safety concerns, serious reputational damage, suspected unlawful conduct, or other urgent circumstances exist, IBMA Kyokushin Kai may temporarily suspend affiliation status, certification status, use of names, or other rights before a final review or determination is completed.

Article 23 — Cancellation of Affiliation Approval or Status

Where serious violations of regulations, material false statements, serious reputational damage, serious safety management violations, unlawful conduct, continued failure to comply with corrective requests, or other circumstances make continuation of the affiliation relationship seriously inappropriate, IBMA Kyokushin Kai may cancel affiliation approval or affiliation status.

Article 24 — Opportunity to Explain or Respond

1. Except in urgent circumstances, where suspension, cancellation, or another serious disciplinary measure is contemplated, IBMA Kyokushin Kai shall normally provide the reasons for the proposed measure and give the organization or dojo concerned an opportunity to explain the circumstances or submit a response.
2. IBMA Kyokushin Kai shall make its final determination after considering the explanation, submitted materials, and other relevant circumstances.

Article 25 — Suspension or Cancellation of Certified Organization Status

Where a Certified Organization no longer satisfies the certification requirements, commits a serious violation of the applicable regulations, or seriously damages the social credibility expected of a Certified Organization, IBMA Kyokushin Kai may suspend the certification, request corrective action, or cancel the Certified Organization status.

Cancellation of Certified Organization status does not necessarily result in automatic termination of affiliation. Affiliation status shall be reviewed separately where necessary.

Article 26 — Renewal

Affiliation registration, Certified Organization status, and other required registrations shall be renewed in accordance with separately prescribed periods and procedures.

At renewal, IBMA Kyokushin Kai may review activities, compliance with regulations, registration information, membership fees, affiliation fees, and other relevant matters.

Article 27 — Withdrawal and Termination of Affiliation

An Affiliated Organization or Affiliated Dojo may request termination of affiliation through the prescribed procedure.

Upon termination of affiliation, all designations, logos, qualification indications, or other representations suggesting current affiliation with IBMA Kyokushin Kai shall be discontinued without delay.

Article 28 — Amendment of the Regulations

IBMA Kyokushin Kai may amend these Regulations where necessary in response to operational needs, social conditions, international activities, or other relevant circumstances.

Significant amendments shall be announced through the official website or other appropriate means.

Supplementary Provisions

1. Effective Date

These Regulations shall take effect on the date designated by IBMA Kyokushin Kai.

2. Transitional Measures for Existing Affiliated Organizations and Dojos

Organizations and dojos that were already affiliated with IBMA Kyokushin Kai before these Regulations took effect and whose continuing activities and cooperative relationship have been confirmed shall, as a general rule, be treated as formally Affiliated Organizations or formally Affiliated Dojos.

However, IBMA Kyokushin Kai may request updated confirmation of registration information, activities, instructional systems, safety management, or other necessary matters.

3. Treatment of Historical “Branch” Designations

After these Regulations take effect, IBMA Kyokushin Kai shall not, as a general rule, establish new “Branches” as an official organizational category.

This provision does not deny historical references, former official names, or the use of the word “Branch” where it forms part of the independent proper name of an affiliated organization.