NANKA rank PROMOTION BOARDS

NOTICE: NANKA PROMOTION BOARD DRAFT Standard Operating Procedure  – Now Open for Comments

As noted  during the June BOD meeting a draft version of the Nanka Promotion Board SOP is available for comment. Please forward any comments on the draft to promotions@nankajudo.org. 

The comment window is open July 1^st, to August 1^st, 2026.  Appropriate updates and modifications shall be implemented. Document approval requires two readings at a BOD. First reading of the proposed SOP will be at the Nanka AGM (August 2026) and the second reading will be at the Q4 Nanka Board of Directors Meeting (November 2026).

Document Link:  Nanka Promotion Board SOP Version 0.3 (Uploaded 7/1/26)

promotions@nankajudo.ORG

Rank Authority

           Nanka has By-law authority to rank promote its members only.

           Nanka has the authority of the following National Governing Organizations (NGO)

•             United States Judo Federation (USJF)

As a member Yudanshkai of the USJF,  Nanka has rank authority to promote up to and including Godan (5th Dan), as long as the candidate meets Nanka’s requirements and USJF mandatory requirements. Ranks 6th Dan and above are all subject to the USJF Promotion Committee and must meet the USJF requirements.

Nanka Ranks

Nanka can issue rank under its own authority. These ranks are not intended to circumvent ranks issued by a National Governing Organization (NGO), but are issued only as recognition of a high honor when the nominee does not meet all the NGO mandatory requirements but in Nanka’s opinion deserves special consideration.

Nanka Kodomo Ranks

Issued by Nanka. The candidate who must be an individual member of Nanka is assessed and recommended by their Dojo Head Instructor. In order for the rank to be recognized by Nanka the dojo must be a member of Nanka in good standing.

Nanka Mudansha Ranks

Issued by Nanka. The candidate who must be an individual member of Nanka is assessed and recommended by their Dojo Head Instructor. In order for the rank to be recognized by Nanka the dojo must be a member of Nanka in good standing.

Nanka Yudansha Ranks

Issued by a Recognized NGO. The candidate who must be an individual member of Nanka is assessed and recommended by their dojo Head Instructor. If the Dojo is not a member of Nanka, the candidate may still be eligible for promotion consideration as an At-Large member.

Nanka Kodansha Ranks

These ranks are issued by the NGO of which they are a member of. Under special circumstances a Nanka Kodansha rank may be issued if recommended by the Nanka Sr Promotion board and approved by a majority of the Nanka Board of Directors.

Ranks of Kudan (9th Dan) and Judan (10th Dan) are very special and are awarded by unanimous recognition of the Nanka BOD.

All communications please use promotions@nankajudo.ORG

Senior Promotion Board

The Senior Promotion Board is responsible for the awarding and recording of yudansha and kodansha ranks of 4th dan black belt (Yodan) and higher. 

• Senior Promotion Board Chairperson: Keith Chu (interim)
• Senior Promotion Board Vice-Chair:  open
• Senior Promotion Board  Secretary:  Cheryl Harai

•  The Senior Board of Examiners shall consist of yudansha with the rank of Rokudan (6th Dan) or higher, who are Regular Members in good standing with NANKA. The Senior Board of Examiners shall promote individual Members to the rank of Yondan (4th Dan) and higher (subject to the scope of rank authority given to NANKA by the USJF).

• The Senior Board will have a quorum of (10) percent of the eligible Members with not more than two (2) Members from a single Member Dojo

  Email: promotions@nankajudo.org

 There are two Sr. Promotion Review Periods each year.

         Spring Promotion Review: Application cut off date is February 1st

         Fall Promotion Review: Application cut off date: is August 1st.

Applications received after the cut-off date will automatically be considered in the next review period.

For the Mandatory Certifications which are rank dependant (i.e. SafeSport, Concussion,First Aid/CPR and Background Screening) refer to the resources linked here

For all promotion submissions

Only promotion applications that ARE COMPLETE, which requires copies of all necessary documentation, certifications and application fee  received prior to the Application Cut-off date will be reviewed by the Promotion Boards and if approved submitted to NGO for approval if necessary.

• • • Applicants will be promptly informed of any status change with their application by email.
    • Rank Promotion Applications can be submitted at any time. They will be processed in the next applicable review period.
    • Rank Promotion Applications will remain active for a period of six (6) months. If not approved or it remains open due to incomplete requirements, the Application  will be closed. The applicant will have their fee returned minus the Nanka processing fee.
    • Complete the online Nanka Promotion Form and and submit all required documents and certifications.
    • ALL FEES must be paid to Nanka in order for a form to be considered submitted.
  • • All Dan Grade applicants 18 years and older must have a completed Background Screening by USJF,  Heads-up concussion training, Safe-Sport training, First Aid & CPR certification.  Proof of certifications must be submitted with the application.
    • Paid up USJF annual fees at time of application, current year plus up to three (3) previous years (Depending upon requested Rank).

Please refer to the following documents for more detailed information on promotions

NANKA  PROMOTION HANDBOOK  2013

USJF Promotion Requirements 2021 

USJF has revised some promotion requirements since the Nanka Handbook was updated.

Specifically, required certifications and a narrative requirement for Rokudan and up