Okinawa Prefecture participated in the "Creative journey to Japan 2022," as part of an effort to register Okinawa Karate as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. This event was held at the headquarters of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Intangible Cultural Heritage in Paris. Okinawa Prefecture took the lead in promoting the history of Okinawa Karate and Okinawa Prefecture's commitment to Okinawa Karate.
At the event, Shinjo Kiyohide Sensei, Ikemiyagi Masaaki Sensei, and Higa Koyu Sensei, representing each style, demonstrated kata and performed bare handed "Shi-wari". The huge applause and the enthusiastic responses from not only the UNESCO officials but also the ambassadors of various countries in France as the performance drew considerabe attention from the ambassadors and the press. Throughout the event, many questions and comments about Okinawa Karate were raised, allowing the participants to deepen their undestanding of Okinawa Karate.
After the event, Karate seminars were held for Okinawa Karate practitioners who seek to improve their skills. Many Okinawa Karate practitioners attended the seminars and were able to deepen their techniques of Okinawa Karate. These activities helped to raise awareness of Okinawa Karate. With the aim of continuing to promote Okinawa's pride "Okinawa Karate" to the world and achieving regstration with UNESCO, Okinawa Prefecture and Okinawa Dento Karate Shinkokai will continue to promote Okinawa Karate to the world.
Restrictions on new entry of foreigners into Japan will be revised.
From 00:00 (Japan standard time UTC+9) on June 10, 2020, new entry for the purpose of sightseeing will be granted.
At the time of entry into Japan for sightseeing purposes, travel agents and host authorities residing in Japan are required to apply for the Entrants, Returnees Follow-up System (ERFS).
Upon receipt of the certification, the applicant will be deemed to have " Exceptional Circumstances" and will be allowed to stay in Japan for short-term tourism purposes as a guideline.
*It is expected that the individual entry for tourism purposes will not be allowed for the time being.
Please be advised that these measures vary depending on the classification of the country or region as determined by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Application for Visa for foreign nationals eligible for Phased Measures toward Resuming Cross-Border Travel
This fiscal year, the Okinawa Prefecture Karate Promotion Division carried out the "Okinawa Karate Guide Training Project", and 42 people participated in the training. An exam was held at the end of February, and more than 20 people passed.
We introduce the newly recognized "Karate Guides" on "Okinawa Karate Navi", a website operated by our Information Center. For details, see https://okinawa-karate-navi.com/guide/
Guides' introduction will be posted as soon as we receive the necessary information.
