Please note, All New Membership Applications must be sponsored and signed by a Kokusai Budoin, IMAF Official Representative

IMAF has a long history deeply rooted in the foundations of Japanese martial arts. Its founders were among a select few who trained daily with the creators of such arts as Judo, Karatedo, Iaido, Nihon Jujutsu and others. The strength and credibility of the organization is derived from its rich, unique heritage in Japan and dynamic international organization.

With representation in 27 countries and numerous members worldwide, the International Martial Arts Federation is one of the leading martial arts institutions in the world. As an international certification headquarters, IMAF seeks to promote the knowledge and understanding of Japanese martial arts.

Membership is divided into three categories: Regular, Associate and Affiliate.

Regular Membership: This membership is open to all those holding 4th dan or higher degrees as recognized by IMAF.

Associate Membership: This membership is open to all those who holding 3rd dan or lower degrees as recognized by IMAF.

Affiliate Membership: This membership is open to all those who have an interest in Japanese martial arts and wish to join IMAF. Registration of degrees & testing, prior experience or demonstrated capability in Japanese martial arts is not required.

As a non-profit organization, the Government of Japan has formally recognized IMAF as a premier martial arts institution. As a member of IMAF, you will become part of its rich tradition and heritage. In addition, your certifications of achievement will be registered and recognized worldwide.




For new members, we encourage you to review the FAQ section carefully in addition to speaking with your instructor about the benefits of joining IMAF.

If your current dojo or instructor is not affiliated with IMAF and you would like to learn more about the organization, please contact the IMAF Affiliate office near you.




The application process is straightforward and simple to complete. Your application can be submitted by e-mail or by post. Please read the instructions carefully for each. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed or processed.


E-mail Applications

- Download the Membership Application - E-mail, read the instructions carefully and complete each section. Note: this is a Microsoft Word™ document. The filename for your application should be in the following format: 'your-name-application.doc' (e.g. 'james-carter-application.doc').

- Submit a passport size digital photo in either .gif or .jpg format. The filename for your photo should be in the following format: 'firstname-lastname.gif' or 'firstname-lastname.jpg' (e.g. 'james-carter-application.gif').

- Submit certifications and other relevant documents electronically. The filename for your supporting documents should be in the following format: 'firstname-lastname-certification.xxx' (e.g. 'james-carter-3rd-dan-certification.pdf'). The file type may be .gif, .jpg, .doc, .pdf or other generally accepted file type.

Please check to ensure that all relevant documentation has been completed. Attach documents in an e-mail and send to the local IMAF affiliate office. For specific e-mail addresses, please refer to the Contact section. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed, processed or returned to the applicant.


Postal Applications

- Download and print the Membership Application - Postal. Read the instructions carefully and complete each section. Note: this is an Adobe Acrobat™ file.

- Submit 4 passport size photos. Attach one photo to the membership application and include 3 additional photos with your submission.

- Submit one copy of each certification(s) and other relevant documents.

Please check to ensure that all relevant documentation has been completed. Place all documents in a single business-size envelope and mail to the local IMAF affiliate office. For specific postal addresses, please refer to the Contact section. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed, processed or returned to the applicant.




Once the completed application is submitted to the local IMAF affiliate office, it will be sent to our Headquarters in Tokyo, Japan for a thorough review. Standard application processing requires 8 - 10 weeks depending upon backlog and other factors. Your patience is greatly appreciated.

Applicants will receive the results of their application via an e-mail notification from the local IMAF affiliate office.