Constitution of the All Nippon Battodo Federation
Chapter 1: General Provisions
(Name)
Article 1 The name of the Federation shall be the All Nippon Battodo Federation (hereinafter referred to as the "Federation").
(Headquarters and Secretariat)
Article 2 The headquarters of the Federation (hereinafter referred to as the "Headquarters") shall be located at the residence of the head of the Secretariat specified in Article 5, Paragraph 1, Item (2).
2. The Headquarters shall be composed of the respective organs and Headquarters Officers specified in the following chapters.
Chapter 2: Objectives and Activities
(Objectives)
Article 3 The objectives of the Federation shall be to promote mutual interaction and friendship among domestic and international organizations, dojos, and other groups that aspire to disseminate and pass down the art of Battodo, and to widely popularize the Federation's Battodo, as well as the history and culture of Japan, both domestically and internationally through international cultural exchanges.
(Activities)
Article 4 In order to achieve the objectives prescribed in the preceding Article, the Federation shall engage in the following activities:
(1) Organizing workshops and training sessions to disseminate and pass down the standard Kata (forms) and Tameshigiri (test cutting) established by the Federation;
(2) Examining and certifying Dan grades and titles within the Federation's Battodo;
(3) Organizing and managing Battodo tournaments hosted by the Federation;
(4) Promoting Battodo overseas through international cultural exchanges; and
(5) Any other activities deemed necessary to achieve the objectives of the Federation.
Chapter 3: Organs and Headquarters Officers
(Organs and Allocation of Duties)
Article 5 The Federation shall establish the following organs:
(1) Board of Directors
(2) Secretariat
(3) General Affairs Department
(4) Finance Department
(5) Operations Department
(6) Training/Education Department
(7) Public Relations Department
(8) Publication Department
(9) Referee Department
(10) International Affairs Department
- The allocation of duties for each organ specified in the preceding paragraph shall be as follows:(1) Board of Directors: Composed of a council of Headquarters Officers specified in the items of Article 6, Paragraph 1 and Directors specified in Article 7 (hereinafter collectively referred to as "Directors, etc."), which shall deliberate and resolve upon the following matters: a. Matters concerning the election of the President, Vice President, Managing Director, and Deputy Managing Director; b. Matters concerning the election of the heads and deputy heads of the organs listed in Items (2) through (10) of the preceding paragraph, as well as Auditors; c. Matters concerning the formulation of agendas to be submitted to the General Meeting; d. Matters concerning the execution of resolutions passed at the General Meeting; e. Matters concerning the execution of business operations that do not require a resolution of the General Meeting; and f. Matters concerning the general supervision of each organ of the Federation and the management of all Federation operations.(2) Secretariat: Responsible for the following operations: a. Matters concerning communication and coordination among the respective organs of the Federation and affiliated branches; b. Matters concerning the creation and management of directories of officers and members; c. Matters concerning the management of the Federation's Constitution, internal rules, and minutes of various meetings; d. Matters concerning the issuance of certificates for Dan grades and titles; and e. Matters concerning the drafting and execution of budgets in collaboration with the Finance Department.(3) General Affairs Department: Responsible for the planning and formulation of the general affairs of the Federation, as well as matters concerning the Constitution and internal rules.(4) Finance Department: Responsible for the general accounting operations of the Federation and annual revenue and expenditure financial reports.(5) Operations Department: Responsible for the formulation and reporting of annual activity plans, and organizing Battodo tournaments, workshops, and other events in collaboration with the respective organs.(6) Training/Education Department: Responsible for holding workshops, as well as research and coaching regarding the standard Kata and Tameshigiri established by the Federation.(7) Public Relations Department: Responsible for negotiations and communications with other martial arts organizations, as well as research and investigation for achieving the objectives of the Federation.(8) Publication Department: Responsible for internal and external public relations, enlightenment of Federation activities, and matters concerning advertisements.(9) Referee Department: Responsible for training tournament referees and establishing tournament judging criteria.(10) International Affairs Department: Responsible for conducting workshops and Dan promotion examinations overseas, as well as communication and coordination with overseas branches.
- In addition to the organs specified in Paragraph 1, the Federation shall appoint two or more Auditors. The Auditors shall independently perform the following duties:(1) Auditing the asset status and accounting operations of the Federation, and reporting the results to the Board of Directors; and(2) Investigating misconduct by members and reporting the results to the Board of Directors.
(Headquarters Officers)
Article 6 The Federation shall appoint the following Headquarters Officers:
(1) President: 1 person
(2) Vice President: A few persons
(3) Managing Director: 1 person
(4) Deputy Managing Director: A few persons
(5) Heads and deputy heads of the organs listed in Article 5, Paragraph 1, Items (2) through (10)
(6) Auditors: 2 or more persons
- Headquarters Officers shall be elected from among the members by mutual vote at a meeting of the Board of Directors; provided, however, that the President and the Managing Director must be members who hold Japanese nationality and reside within Japan.
- Headquarters Officers may concurrently hold other offices; provided, however, that Auditors may not concurrently serve as another Headquarters Officer or Director.
- The term of office for Headquarters Officers shall be two years; provided, however, that reelection shall not be precluded.
- Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding paragraph, if a successor officer has not been elected at the time of expiration of the term of office, the incumbent officer shall continue to perform their duties until a successor is elected, and their term of office shall be extended until the conclusion of the first ordinary General Meeting held after such expiration.
- The term of office of a Headquarters Officer assumed due to an increase in the number of officers or to fill a vacancy shall be the remaining period of the term of office of the other current officers or their predecessor, respectively.
- If a Headquarters Officer falls under any of the following items, they may be dismissed by a resolution of the General Meeting:(1) When the officer is deemed unable to perform their duties due to mental or physical disorder; or(2) When there has been a breach of professional obligations or any other conduct unbecoming of a Headquarters Officer.
(Directors)
Article 7 The heads of organizations registered as branches of the Federation pursuant to the provisions of Article 10 (hereinafter referred to as "Branch Directors") shall serve as Directors of the Federation.
(Honorary President, Advisors, etc.)
Article 8 The Federation may appoint an Honorary President, Advisors, Counselors, and Councilors (hereinafter collectively referred to as "Advisors, etc.") based on the recommendation of the Board of Directors.
2. Advisors, etc. may express their opinions regarding the management of the Federation upon request by the Board of Directors.
(Duties of Headquarters Officers)
Article 9 The duties of Headquarters Officers shall be as follows:
(1) The President shall represent the Federation, supervise general affairs, and inform members of matters based on resolutions passed at meetings. The President shall also convene the General Meeting and extraordinary General Meetings, serve as the chairperson thereof, and present agendas listed in the items of Article 13, Paragraph 2.
(2) The Vice President shall assist the President, and when the President is unable to perform their duties or the office is vacant, the Vice President shall act on behalf of the President or perform their duties in accordance with the order of succession designated in advance by the President.
(3) The Managing Director shall execute the business operations of the Federation, and manage and control its operations. The Managing Director shall also convene the Board of Directors and extraordinary meetings of the Board of Directors, serve as the chairperson thereof, present agendas listed in the items of Article 14, Paragraph 2, and administer operations based on resolutions.
(4) The Deputy Managing Director shall assist the Managing Director, and when the Managing Director is unable to perform their duties or the office is vacant, the Deputy Managing Director shall act on behalf of the Managing Director or perform their duties in accordance with the order of succession designated in advance by the Managing Director.
(5) The heads and deputy heads of the organs specified in Article 6, Paragraph 1, Item (3) shall manage and execute the allocation of duties specified in Article 5, Paragraph 2, Items (2) through (10).
Chapter 4: Branches and Membership
(Branches)
Article 10 The Federation shall approve domestic and international organizations, dojos, and other groups that agree with the objectives specified in Article 3 and apply for membership as branches of the Federation (hereinafter referred to as "Branches"), and the Headquarters shall supervise them.
2. The establishment of a new Branch shall be approved through deliberation and resolution by the Board of Directors.
3. A Branch approved under the provisions of the preceding paragraph shall promptly pay the branch registration fee specified separately.
4. Upon confirming the payment of the branch registration fee mentioned in the preceding paragraph, the Headquarters shall register the Branch and issue a branch certificate specified separately.
5. A Branch shall elect a Branch Director to represent the Branch each fiscal year and register them with the Headquarters.
6. The name of a Branch shall, in principle, be the unique name of the organization prefixed by the name of the country or region where it is located.
(Membership)
Article 11 Membership status in the Federation shall be acquired each fiscal year upon application, in principle, by a Branch Director, by paying the annual membership fee specified separately to the Headquarters and completing registration.
2. The classifications of members shall be as follows:
(1) Regular Members: Members residing within Japan, and heads of overseas branches who have paid the annual membership fee.
(2) Overseas Members: Persons residing overseas other than Regular Members who have paid the annual membership fee.
3. Supporting membership for individuals or organizations may be established to support the activities of the Federation.
4. The Headquarters shall issue a membership handbook specified separately to registered members.
5. Members shall bear the obligation to actively cooperate with the activities of the Federation and exert their best efforts to achieve its objectives.
6. Members shall have the right to take examinations for Dan grades and titles specified in Chapter 7 (hereinafter referred to as "Dan Grades, etc.") based on the recommendation of a Headquarters Officer specified in Article 6, Paragraph 1, Items (1) through (3) or their affiliated Branch Director.
7. A member shall lose their membership status if they fall under any of the following items:
(1) When a notice of withdrawal is submitted;
(2) When a member fails to pay the annual membership fee for one year or more consecutively without justifiable grounds;
(3) When the member dies, or their affiliated Branch ceases to exist; or
(4) When a member is expelled pursuant to the provisions of this Constitution.
8. If a member falls under any of the following items, they may be expelled upon a resolution of the Board of Directors and subsequent approval at the General Meeting:
(1) When a member damages the honor of the Federation or acts against the objectives and activities specified in Chapter 2;
(2) When a member is convicted of a criminal offense;
(3) When relations or associations with anti-social forces or equivalent entities are confirmed; or
(4) When a member commits a material breach of this Constitution.
Chapter 5: Meetings
(Types and Convening of Meetings)
Article 12 Meetings concerning resolutions and execution of the Federation shall consist of the General Meeting, the Board of Directors, and extraordinary meetings of the Board of Directors (hereinafter collectively referred to as "Meetings").
2. The ordinary General Meeting shall be held once a year, and the ordinary Board of Directors meeting shall be held at least once a year.
3. For important agendas that require an urgent decision for the management of the Federation, an extraordinary meeting of the Board of Directors may be convened to deliberate and resolve. However, such resolved matters must be reported and approved at the next subsequent General Meeting.
(General Meeting)
Article 13 The General Meeting shall be composed of Regular Members.
2. The General Meeting shall deliberate and resolve upon the following matters:
(1) Approval of activity reports, activity plans, revenue and expenditure financial reports, and income and expenditure budget plans;
(2) Approval of the appointment of Headquarters Officers elected by the Board of Directors;
(3) Approval of the dismissal of Headquarters Officers and expulsion of members;
(4) Matters concerning the duties and remuneration of Headquarters Officers;
(5) Amendment or abolition of the Constitution and important internal regulations; and
(6) Any other important operational matters concerning the Federation.
3. When convening a General Meeting, a notice stating the date, location, purpose, and deliberation matters (agendas) of the meeting must be sent to members in writing or by electromagnetic means at least one week prior to the date of the meeting. No resolution may be passed regarding an urgent motion not included in the prior notice.
(Board of Directors)
Article 14 The Board of Directors shall be composed of Directors, etc.
2. The Board of Directors shall deliberate and resolve upon the following matters:
(1) Formulation of agendas to be submitted to the General Meeting;
(2) Certification of Dan grades, titles, and official recognition of referees;
(3) Approval of the opening and establishment of a new Branch; and
(4) Any other matters concerning the execution of operations that do not require a resolution of the General Meeting.
3. When convening a meeting of the Board of Directors or an extraordinary meeting of the Board of Directors, a notice stating the date, location, purpose, and deliberation matters of the meeting must be sent in writing or by electromagnetic means at least one week prior to the date of the meeting. No resolution may be passed regarding an urgent motion concerning Item (1) of the preceding paragraph.
(Quorum and Resolutions)
Article 15 The quorum for each meeting shall be as follows:
(1) The General Meeting shall be constituted with the attendance of a majority of Regular Members (including attendance by proxy).
(2) The Board of Directors meeting shall be constituted with the attendance of a majority of Directors, etc. (including attendance by proxy).
(3) A voting member who is unable to attend may delegate their voting rights to another attending member with voting rights in writing or by electromagnetic means. In this case, such member shall be counted as present.
(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding items, meetings concerning the dissolution of the Federation, amendment of the Constitution, dismissal of an officer, or expulsion of a member shall require the attendance of two-thirds or more of the eligible voting members (including proxies) to constitute a quorum.
2. Each member shall have an equal voting right. However, a member who has a special interest in a resolution may not participate in the vote on that matter.
3. Unless otherwise provided in this Constitution, resolutions of a meeting shall be adopted by a majority vote of the attending members with voting rights. In the case of a tie, the chairperson shall have a casting vote.
(Minutes of Meetings)
Article 16 Minutes shall be prepared for the proceedings of meetings indicating the following matters and shall be kept at the Secretariat:
(1) The date, time, and location of the meeting;
(2) The number of attendants (including proxy submissions; provided, however, that the names of attendants, proxy submitters, and delegates must be specified for meetings of the Board of Directors);
(3) A summary of the course of proceedings and their results (resolved matters); and
(4) Any other matters deemed necessary.
2. The prepared minutes shall be promptly reported to all members in writing or by electromagnetic means.
Chapter 6: Assets and Accounting
(Fiscal Year)
Article 17 The fiscal year of the Federation shall commence on April 1 of each year and end on March 31 of the following year.
(Revenue and Expenditure)
Article 18 The revenues of the Federation shall be derived from annual membership fees, examination fees and certification fees for Dan Grades, etc., income from activities, and other sources of income. The expenditures shall be funded by all costs associated with the execution of operations specified in Chapter 3 and other provisions.
2. The amounts and payment methods for branch registration fees, annual membership fees, registration fees for Dan Grades, etc. shall be governed by regulations specified separately.
3. The standards for congratulatory and condolence expenses for members, remuneration and travel expenses for Headquarters Officers, and various activity subsidies shall be governed by regulations specified separately.
4. A reserve fund may be established within the budget to cover unexpected expenditures or budget deficits. When utilizing the reserve fund, a resolution of the Board of Directors must be obtained.
5. If unavoidable circumstances arise after the budget resolution, the budget may be supplemented or amended (formulation of a supplementary budget) through a resolution of the Board of Directors.
(Financial Audit)
Article 19 The head of the Finance Department shall prepare a revenue and expenditure financial report after the end of each fiscal year, which shall be subject to an audit by the Auditors.
2. The revenue and expenditure financial report mentioned in the preceding paragraph, accompanied by the audit report prepared by the Auditors, shall be submitted to the ordinary General Meeting for approval after being deliberated upon by the ordinary Board of Directors.
Chapter 7: Dan Grades and Titles
(Dan Rank and Title Examination Committee)
Article 20 The Federation shall establish the Dan Rank and Title Examination Committee (hereinafter referred to as the "Examination Committee") to conduct examinations for Dan grades and titles within the Federation.
2. Members of the Examination Committee shall be elected by the Board of Directors based on regulations specified separately.
(Certification and Registration of Dan Ranks, etc.)
Article 21 Certification of Dan Grades, etc. of the Federation shall be conducted in accordance with the examination standards and regulations specified separately.
2. When a Dan Grade, etc. is certified, a certificate specified separately shall be issued to the member, and the details shall be recorded in the Dan Grade Registry and permanently preserved at the Headquarters.
(Examination Fees and Registration Fees)
Article 22 A member who intends to take an examination for a Dan Grade, etc. must pay the examination fee specified separately in advance.
2. A member who passes the examination and receives certification for a Dan Grade, etc. must promptly pay the registration fee (certification fee) specified separately.
(Cancellation of Dan Rank Registration)
Article 23 In the event that a member is expelled pursuant to the provisions of Article 11, Paragraph 8, the Examination Committee may cancel the registration of the Dan Grades, etc. held by the said member upon a resolution of the Board of Directors.
Supplementary Provisions
- Established on January 1, 1988
- Revised on July 21, 2026