Guardian Girls Karate Marks International Women’s Day with Key Expansion in Asia at Tokyo Event

The Guardian Girls Karate programme marked an important milestone on its second day of activities in Tokyo, as the World Karate Federation (WKF) initiative against gender-based violence continued its expansion across Asia. Held just ahead of International Women’s Day, the event combined the second session of the instructors’ course with an open seminar for women. The activities confirmed Tokyo as a key step in bringing the programme to more countries in the continent.

Sixteen women were certified as Guardian Girls instructors on day two. The new instructors include six from Japan, two from Indonesia, and one each from Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, Macao, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam.

The second day of activities was led by WKF head instructors Amy Connell and Teresa García, and had the attendance of Toshihisa Nagura, General Secretary of the World Karate Federation, and Shin Koyamada, president of Guardian Girls International. Former president of the Japan Karate Federation, Takashi Sasakawa, also visited the session to support the initiative.

General Secretary of the World Karate Federation Toshihisa Nagura addressed the participants at the end of the course.

“This is a social activity, very important worldwide, and you are now part of it,” he said. “It's not a short-term event. It requires patience, persistence and partnership. The course you just completed is the starting point.”

After the diploma ceremony for the new instructors, the programme continued with an open seminar attended by 30 women. The session introduced the basic concepts of the Guardian Girls Karate methodology and its approach to awareness, prevention and self-defence.

With participants from across East and Southeast Asia, the Tokyo event reflects the growing reach of the Guardian Girls Karate programme and its effort to build a network of trained instructors across the region.

The Guardian Girls Karate programme is the WKF’s initiative to help prevent gender-based violence through education, awareness and practical Karate training. The activities in Tokyo come at a meaningful moment, aligning with the global celebration of International Women’s Day and reinforcing the legacy of the sport and the programme’s message of empowerment and protection for women and girls.

For more information and updates, follow Guardian Girls Karate on its social media channels, via its Instagram page @guardiangirlskarate.

GUARDIAN GIRLS KARATE