Takato Utsumi Sensei who is based in Yokohama, Japan, is the successor and newly appointed Chief Instructor for IJKA International, following the sad passing of Kato Shihan.
Takato Utsumi Sensei was personally chosen by Kato Shihan to be his successor and was officially elected to the position of IJKA Chief Instructor in 2021 after a year of respect for Kato Shihan.
Takato Utsumi Sensei had previously held the postion of Chief Instructor for IJKA Japan since 2014.

IJKA Founder
Sadashige Kato Shihan founded IJKA and sadly passed away on 16th April 2020. On that day Steve Sensei lost his Sensei of 25 years and the karate world lost an absolute genius, the likes of whom we shall probably never see again.
Rest in peace Sensei.

Kato Shihan’s life
Kato Shihan was born on July 22nd 1943 in Kochi, Japan. He attended the world famous Takushoku University in Tokyo and trained under Sensei Tsuyama, Kanazawa and Urui. Sensei Kanazawa’s influence was very strong and he won a place on the JKA Instructors Course. Upon completion of the Instructors Course, Kato Shihan went to teach in Germany and in 1966 he was sent by the JKA to the UK.

Kato Shihan (Master) was resident in England and teaching karate throughout the world for more than 40 years during which time his loyalty was to the late World Chief Instructor for IJKA, Tetsuhiko Asai Shihan 9th Dan, until his sad passing in 2006.

Kato Shihan was the only person to have passed an 8th Dan grading under Asai Shihan, a testament to the technical complexity of Asai’s examinations and Kato Shihan’s awesome abilities as a true karate master.

At the 2007 IJKA congress meeting held in Budapest, Hungary, following one year of respect for Asai Shihan 9th Dan, Kato Shihan was asked to take over the mantel of IJKA World Chief Instructor.

In July 2013 Kato Shihan celebrated his 70th birthday but as this photograph taken in early 2013 shows age was no barrier for a true karate master.

Whilst it was Asai Shihan’s unbelievable ability to demonstrate his style, it was Kato Shihan’s ability to interpret and teach, that has seen the organisation grow and gain popularity with the karate instructors who are still hungry for knowledge. His unique style of teaching and attention to the historical detail of Shotokan karate made his coaching seminars a must for every serious Shotokan karateka.
Rest in peace Sensei.