JKA (Matsuno section), a position held until retiring from the JKA (Matsuno section) on 31 January 1999. The Matsuno section itself disbanded when, after several court rulings, the issue of the rights to the JKA brand was ultimately settled by the Japanese Supreme Court on 10 June 1999, in favor of Nakahara's group. Abe is quoted as saying "I feel however that Karate nowadays is centered only on winning competitions and that everybody trains towards this end. This is far from the truth. I believe that the true purpose of Karate lies in daily training with a goal to develop a strong mind and body and furthermore to contribute to society in general." Abe established the JSKA to realize what he himself saw as the true Karate purpose. The JSKA claims members in over 40 countries globally while the organization's stated goals are to teach karate as a martial art based on the Japanese concepts of Budo and to gain perfection of technique and self-defense, while improving health, confidence and mental attitude. It differentiates itself from other organizations by proclaiming a return to the traditional values and training of the Japan Karate Association as laid down by Masatoshi Nakayama, the JKA’s first Chief Instructor. Its students suggest that through the teachings of their Chief Instructor Keigo Abe, a direct student of Masotoshi Nakayama who in turn was taught by the founder of the style Gichin Funakoshi, that 'the Shotokan Legacy continues'. The JSKA emphasizes the development of effective techniques utilising the low and long stances introduced by Yoshitaka Funakoshi and passed on through Nakayama to Abe, and although they are a general feature of the Shotokan style, the self-defense/budo element is continually stressed where the significance of natural actions, utilising good posture and biomechanics, ensures the execution of a powerful and effective technique. Although the JSKA does accept the need for tournaments, its use of the ippon shobu rules guarantees that the concept of ‘one strike, one kill’ is still maintained in their training Grades For all kyu gradings, the student must demonstrate to the examiners tier understanding of the three facets of the style; set patterns (kata), basics (kihon) and sparring (kumite). Grades are examined with the karateka presenting themselves for assessment, with the permission of their instructor, every three to four months. This situation last between 10th kyu and 1st kyu, depending on the affiliate association. The minimum