The IOC General Meeting, to decide the additional sporting events for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, was held on August 3, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The 5 sports and 18 events that were proposed by the Organizing Committee of the Tokyo Games were approved by a unanimous decision, with Karate officially added as one of the sports for Tokyo 2020. The Japan Karatedo Federation (JKF), which promoted Karate to the Olympic Committee held a press conference on August 4, 2016, at the Nihon Karate-Do Kaikan in Tokyo, Japan.

President of the JKF, Sasagawa Takashi, stated, "The WKF (World Karate Federation) has members in 192 countries, and international regions with more than 100 million enthusiasts. Karate-Do is highly respected, particularly in Europe, and renowned as a traditional cultural aspect of Japan. We believe these factors, observed at the IOC General Meeting, allowed Karate to become officially recognized.

At the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, it is planned that Judo matches will first take place, followed by Karate at the iconic sporting hall, the Nippon Budo-kan. We are extremely honored to be able to perform at this renowned home of Budo. At the same time I feel a heavy responsibility. Hereafter, we will further push to foster and strengthen fighters and practitioners, regardless of the different backgrounds of groups and schools, and give it our all as an All Japan Team to push forward for the medals in Japan."

Karate competitions will have 8 events as originally proposed - 3 Men's Weight Category Kumite, 3 Women's Weight Category Kumite and Men's & Women's Kata Categories, with a total of 80 participants, 40 men and 40 women. The event is planned for 2 days and the weights for each category will be determined later.

President of International Karate Organization (IKO) Kyokushinkaikan, Kancho Shokei Matsui, on the news of Karate being officially recognized, stated, "I am delighted to hear that Karate has been officially approved as an Olympic Sport for Tokyo 2020. Having devoted my life to Karate, and now in a position to engage in the management of this large karate organization, Kyokushinkaikan, I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the many years of hard work and dedication the JKF has lent to achieve this goal, and will continue to do my utmost from this day forward, together, hand in hand with the JKF, to proliferate one of the traditional cultures of Japan, "Karate-Do".