WKF President Antonio Espinós Attends Signing of Cooperation Agreement Between Italian and Japanese National Federations in Frankfurt

A memorandum of understanding between the Italian Karate Federation and the Japan Karate Federation was signed in Frankfurt, Germany, on the occasion of the 2026 EKF Senior Championships. The agreement was signed by Japan Karate-do Federation President Yoshihiro Sasakawa and the President of the Karate Sector of the Italian Federation of Judo, Wrestling, Karate and Martial Arts (FIJLKAM) Davide Benetello, with the ceremony being attended by EKF and WKF President Antonio Espinós and WKF General Secretary Toshihisa Nagura.

The agreement reflects the commitment of both national federations to work together through joint initiatives aimed at supporting the development and growth of karate in both countries.

Speaking after the signing, Japan Karate-do Federation President Yoshihiro Sasakawa said:

“I am proud to witness this collaboration with the Italian federation, the first agreement with a European country. Japan is always grateful to countries like Italy that continue to collaborate with us and even travel to Japan to train and engage with our country, like the Italian team travelling to Gotemba. For us, this agreement is a gateway to the world, and we are pleased to be here for this important occasion.”

Davide Benetello added:

“For the Italian federation, it is very important to be involved in this agreement. Japan is the birthplace of karate, and this collaboration will allow the creation of many projects together. Thank you to Japan Karate Federation President Yoshihiro Sasakawa for being here, and to WKF President Antonio Espinós and WKF General Secretary Toshihisa Nagura for attending this historic moment for Italian Karate.”

Antonio Espinós welcomed the signing of the agreement and stressed the value of cooperation between national federations.

“We are stronger with agreements like this one. Italy and Japan are two of the main powerhouse nations of the sport, and I am pleased to note that this agreement will open the door to the cooperation of the two federations. Now it is important to give content to this agreement and to create balance as a consequence of this agreement. Thank you, Mr Benetello and Mr Sasakawa, for the courage to take this initiative and for creating an example to other national federations”

(Top picture: From left to right: WKF General Secretary Toshihisa Nagura, Japan Karate-do Federation President Yoshihiro Sasakawa, WKF President Antonio Espinós and the President of the Karate Sector of the Italian Federation of Judo, Wrestling, Karate and Martial Arts (FIJLKAM) Davide Benetello and FIJLKAM Technical Director Luca Valdesi.

The collaboration agreement was signed in Frankfurt on the occasion of the EKF Senior Championships.

Japan Karate-do Federation President Yoshihiro Sasakawa, WKF President Antonio Espinós and the President of the Karate Sector of the Italian Federation of Judo, Wrestling, Karate and Martial Arts (FIJLKAM) Davide Benetello

WKF President Antonio Espinós headed the signing ceremony in Frankfurt.

Japan Karate-do Federation President Yoshihiro Sasakawa and the President of the Karate Sector of the Italian Federation of Judo, Wrestling, Karate and Martial Arts (FIJLKAM) Davide Benetello.

The two organisations agreed to work on a series of joint initiatives