Karate gets own division in Okinawa government

The Okinawa Prefectural Government has decided to set up a new division to promote karate and ancient Japanese martial arts. The new division that will start working from April will be a part of the Prefectural Department of Culture, Tourism and Sports.

One of the tasks for the new department is to have karate designated as an official intangible cultural property.

The name of the new division will be “Karate Promotion Division” and it will have a staff of five persons. The new division is scheduled to take over the activities that the Prefectural Culture Promotion Division was in charge of, including the registration of karate as a cultural property with UNESCO, and promoting karate in Japan and overseas.

18:29 28 Mar , 2024