Happy New Year. Thank you for your continuous support of the International Karate Organization Kyokushinkaikan.

The pandemic has persisted since 2020, and community spread continues as we head into the new year. Russia's invasion in Ukraine has continued for more than 10 months since February 2022, and other political and economic conflicts around the world are creating many uncertainties. It seems like the world is returning to a Cold War era.

Considering the many adversities we faced in 2022, we are sincerely thankful that our IKO activities were able to resume near normal, pre-pandemic operations.
The 53rd All Japan Open Karate Championship and Kyokushin Sai in April (it was postponed from Nov 2021)
The All Japan Weight Category Karate Championships in Osaka in June, co-organized with All Japan Shinsei Karate-do Organization Shinseikai.
The All Japan Kata Championships and IKO Semi Contact Karate Matches in Kyoto in August.
The 54th All Japan Karate Championship and International Karate Friendship (the 1st international event after the pandemic began) in our home turf Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium with live spectators in November.

The 54th All Japan Karate Championship was held as a selection event for Japan National Team at the 13th World Open Karate Championship. Several Japanese National Team members, including Men's Champion, Kaito Nishimura and Women's Champion, Nana Uzawa, were selected.

The 13th World Open next year will commemorate the 100th anniversary of IKO Kyokushinkaikan founder, Sosai Masutatsu Oyama's birth. I would like this World Open specifically, to showcase Sosai Oyama's Kyokushin Spirit. We will do our utmost to prepare for its success.

I would like to make one essential point very clear, the IKO Kyokushinkaikan is not an organization solely focused on holding competitions, but rather, a Budo organization. Budo is a discipline and our way of life. Through Budo, we discover the meaning and value of our existence.

Kyokushin has basic principles and an inherent philosophy. Sosai Oyama's ideal is to "Keep your head low, eyes high, reserved in speech, be kind in heart and base yourself on filial piety and benefit others." The World Open will showcase this Budo ideal. IKO Kyokushinkaikan competitions are opportunities for members to implement the results of their training to further this principle. Without real fight, there is no proof. Without proof, there is no trust. Without trust, there is no respect. Kyokushin Karate is an unpretentious, pragmatic martial art. Sosai Oyama always stated that basics should be grounded, kata should be realistic with motives, and fighting should be gracious with beauty. Kyokushin Karate should be practiced with ethics and sincerity. Based on Sosai's ideals, our competitions should illustrate Kyokushin beautifully, with skill and grace. And competitions should exemplify our Budo Spirit and principles. Competitions must also maintain the safety and health of competitors. The World Open will be a place for challengers to acquire discipline, in a realistic and secure competitive environment. Through this endeavor, we will showcase the Budo Spirit of Kyokushin.

It has been three years since the last World Open, and through this time, the world experienced the upheaval and insecurity caused by a global pandemic. Especially under such real humanitarian crises, the true value of our Kyokushinkaikan activities will be questioned.

Uncertainties under the pandemic, and international conflicts might continue further. The Kyokushinkaikan is facing this adversity and looking at it as a chance to move ahead optimistically in the pursuit of happiness and peace, to find the real value and meaning of what it is to be practitioners in the Kyokushinkaikan and carry on Sosai Oyama's legacy.

To develop ourselves significantly, we must be confident and persistent, and keep going forward with our hearts full, and eyes wide open. I hope our activities in 2023, especially the 100th anniversary of Sosai Oyama's birth event, "The 13th World Open Karate Championship", will provide an encouraging stimulus to all, and will contribute to World Peace.

I hope all of you are looking forward to witnessing the World Open, understand our philosophy, and continue to support our activities.

I wish all of you a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.

Osu,

Kancho Shokei Matsui
President, International Karate Organization Kyokushinkaikan

Video of 2023 New Year's Message from Kancho Shokei Matsui on KYOKUSHIN ONLINE