Kendo Seminar Marks Diplomatic Milestone
On May 2, 2026, the Japanese Embassy in Morocco organized an open house and a national kendo seminar at the Abdelmajid Dolmi covered hall in Casablanca. The event was graced by the presence of the Japanese Ambassador to Morocco, Nakata Masahiro, along with the esteemed Japanese master, Hideki Shogen, a 6th Dan practitioner, who led demonstrations in kendo, iaido, jodo, and aikido for participants of all ages, including women and young girls.
Ambassador Nakata expressed his admiration for the growing popularity of kendo in Morocco and highlighted the strong cooperation between the two nations. He stated, "I commend the Moroccan Federation of Aikido, Kendo, Iaido, and Judo for organizing this seminar. It brings me great joy to see an increasing number of kendo practitioners in Morocco." He further emphasized the significance of the event, noting that it coincides with the 70th anniversary of the restoration of diplomatic relations between Morocco and Japan, making it particularly symbolic.
Promoting Cultural Exchange Through Martial Arts
Master Hideki Shogen also shared his positive experiences in Morocco, reflecting on his visit a year ago when he trained with local kendo enthusiasts. He expressed his happiness in being able to train and exchange knowledge with them. Abdelhamid El Hamidi El Idrissi, President of the Royal Moroccan Federation of Aikido, Kendo, Iaido, and Jodo (FRMAKIJ), underscored the importance of this initiative. He stated, "We are holding this meeting to commemorate the 70th anniversary of relations between Japan and Morocco, within the framework of cultural, social, and sports cooperation." He further explained that the federation aims to strengthen these ties by promoting Japanese martial arts, including aikido, kendo, and judo, throughout the kingdom, catering to various groups such as youth, adults, women, and young girls.
Furthermore, the president announced the establishment of a partnership with a Japanese expert who conducts training sessions twice a week. Notably, this year marks a significant achievement for Moroccan sports, as the national kendo team will participate in the European Championship for the first time, scheduled for June 19-21, 2026, in Podgorica, Montenegro.
As reported by sport.le360.ma.
