The state of emergency related to the COVID-19 pandemic has now been lifted throughout Japan, but attention is still needed in order to prevent a second wave. With this in mind, the All Japan Kendo Federation (AJKF) has come to a decision regarding holding this year’s All Japan Women’s Kendo Championships and the All Japan Kendo Championships.

1. The AJKF will not hold this year’s All Japan Women’s Kendo Championships and the All Japan Kendo Championships which were scheduled for September and November respectively.




2. However, the AJKF will consider holding these events between January and February 2021, depending on the status of infections and the development of infection prevention measures. A decision on whether or not these events will be held during this fiscal year (to March 31, 2020) will be made at the end of October.

The All Japan Women’s Kendo Championships were scheduled to be
held on September 13, and the All Japan Kendo Championships on November 3.

Both tournaments showcase the highest level of kendo in Japan, featuring competitors who have won qualifying tournaments in each of Japan’s 47 prefectures that are vying for the Emperor’s Cup and Empress’ Cup. However, qualifying tournaments are needed in all prefectures throughout Japan to select the competitors. Qualifying for the women’s tournament is held from June until early-August, and the men’s qualifying is held from July until late-September.

However, given the current situation in which infections of COVID-19 have not completely finished, the AJKF has to be careful in asserting that all qualifying tournaments can be safely held over a period of several months in all 47 prefectures.

On the other hand, the state of emergency declaration has been lifted, but the government is continuing to ask the public for their cooperation in preventing further infections. Furthermore, in the “Guidelines to Prevent Infections with the Resumption of Sports Events” published on May 14 by the Japan Sports Association, it states: “With regards to the holding of events, it is necessary to take careful measures based on requests from prefectural governors, and if a response to infections cannot be made, the event should be cancelled or postponed.”

In this way, the whole of Japan is working together to prevent infections, and the kendo world must do so as well. Therefore, because the status of COVID-19 infections cannot be clearly seen in the next few months, the AJKF has decided to abandon the All Japan Women’s Kendo Championships and the All Japan Kendo Championships due to the qualifying schedule in all prefectures.

However, we will consider holding the events between January and March when COVID-19 infections are expected to have settled down, with the qualifying events probably taking place between November and January. Please understand that the decision of whether or not to postpone the tournaments will be made at the end of October, while considering the status of COVID-19 infections, infection prevention
measures, and other factors such as securing venues.

Announcement Regarding the All Japan Women’s Kendo Championships and the All Japan Kendo Championships