About the Committee

Regulations of the Committee for the Okinawa Karate UNESCO Listing

Chapter 1: Provisions

(Name) Article 1

This committee is named as the Committee for the Okinawa Karate UNESCO Listing

(Objectives) Article 2

Through investigation and the research necessary for inscription of Okinawa karate on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list (hereafter referred to as “inscription on the UNESCO list”), and by building momentum among Okinawans and people related to the project, the committee helps preserve and pass on karate, which has a peace-seeking spirit and profound technique, and promote Okinawa as the birthplace of karate inside and outside of the country.

(Project) Article 3

This committee is conducting the following projects in order to achieve the objectives stated in the previous article.

  1. Conducting the necessary investigation and research to achieve inscription on the UNESCO list.
  2. Building momentum among Okinawans and people related to the project.
  3. Communicating closely with people and organizations related to the project.
  4. Planning projects in order to achieve the objectives mentioned previously, and to accomplish the goals of this committee.

Chapter 2: Organization

(Organization) Article 4

  1. This committee consists of a chair and committee members.
  2. The chair of the committee is to be the Governor of Okinawa Prefecture.
  3. The committee members shall be appointed from among persons who hold the positions listed in Chart 1, and the chair commissions them.

(Board members) Article 5

  1. This committee consists of a chair and a vice chair.
  2. The vice chair shall be appointed by the chair from among the committee members.

(Duty of Board Members) Article 6

  1. The chair administers the committee on behalf of the committee members.
  2. In the event that the chair is not available, the vice chair who is designated by the chair in advance shall perform the chair’s duties on his or her behalf.

(Tenure) Article 7

The tenure of committee members continues until the committee is dissolved.

Chapter 3: Meetings

(Types of Meetings) Article 8

The following meetings are to be held by the committee:

  1. Board meetings
  2. Planning committee meetings
  3. Ryuha Research Association meetings (for Shuri and Tomari-te systems)
  4. Ryuha Research Association meetings (for Naha-te system)
  5. Ryuha Research Association meetings (for Uechi-ryu system)
  6. Ryuha Research Association meetings (for Kobudo)

(Board Meetings) Article 9

  1. Board meetings shall be called and run by the chair.
  2. Board meetings shall not be held unless a majority of committee members are present.
  3. In order to conduct the projects as stated in Article 3, the topics as stated in the following points are to be discussed and decided in board meetings:
    1. The basic policy for the project.
    2. The plan for the project.
    3. The establishment, alteration, or deletion of committee regulations.
    4. Matters to request of the Planning Committee.
    5. Other important matters.
  4. The proceedings of the board meetings can be passed by majority vote of members present. If the vote is tied, the chair shall have the deciding vote. In this case, absent members can give their proxy vote in writing, to a member present which is to be counted as a present vote.
  5. If the chair deems it necessary, and if members are informed beforehand of items for discussion, a vote can be made in writing instead of in the board meeting.
  6. If necessary, the chair can ask someone other than the board members to attend the board meeting.

(Matters to be Left to the Chair’s Sole Discretion) Article 10

  1. In the case of an emergency or a pressing matter when there is no time to hold a board meeting, the chair has sole discretion to make an executive decision on the matter.
  2. In the case where the chair makes an executive decision on a matter such as stated above, the chair must inform the board and obtain the board’s approval.

(Planning Committee) Article 11

  1. The Planning Committee consists of the chair of the Planning Committee (hereafter referred to as “the planning chair”), the vice chair of the Planning Committee (hereafter referred to as “the vice planning chair”), and Planning Committee members.
  2. The planning chair and the vice planning chair shall be appointed from among persons who hold the positions stated in Chart 2, and the chair commissions them.
  3. Planning Committee meetings shall be called and run by the planning chair.
  4. In the event that the planning chair is not available, the vice planning chair who is designated by the planning chair in advance shall perform the duties on his or her behalf.
  5. The Planning Committee shall discuss and make decisions on the following topics:
    1. Matters that the committee requests.
    2. In the case of an emergency or pressing matters without time to hold a committee meeting, the planning committee shall discuss these matters.
    3. Matters to refer to and entrust to the Ryuha Research Association.
    4. Other matters that the chair deems necessary.
    5. Following the previous points 2 and 4, if a meeting is held and a decision is reached, the planning chair must report the results to the board.
  6. Matters stated in Article 7 and Article 9, points 2 and 4, shall also apply to Planning Committee members.
  7. Other matters and matters to inform the Ryuha Research Association about will be decided by the committee chair.

(Ryuha Research Association) Article 12

  1. The Ryuha Research Associations of Shuri and Tomari-te systems, Naha-te system, Uechi-ryu systems, and Kobudo (hereafter referred to as “each association”) consist of the association chair and association members.
  2. Chairs of each association shall be appointed from among persons who hold the positions stated in Chart 3, and the chair commissions them.
  3. Each Ryuha Research Association is to research and discuss matters entrusted by the Planning Committee, and is to report the results to the planning chair.
  4. The chair of each Ryuha Research Association is to report the results of the matter entrusted by the Planning Committee to the chair of the Planning Committee.
  5. Matters stated in Article 7 and Article 9, points 2 and 4, shall also apply to each Ryuha Research Association.
  6. Other matters to discuss in each Ryuha Research Association will be decided by the committee chair.

Chapter 4: Governing Office

(Governing Office) Article 13

The administrative duties regarding the committee work shall be carried out by the Karate Promotion Division, Department of Culture, Tourism and Sports, Okinawa Prefectural Government.

Chapter 5: Auxiliary Provisions

(Act of Dissolution) Article 14

The committee shall be dissolved when the objectives of the committee have been realized.

(Commissions) Article 15

Other matters regarding management of the committee that are not stated in these regulations shall be decided by the committee chair.

Supplementary Provisions

These regulations shall be effective as of August 7, 2020.