Training local leaders
He taught government officers, police and customs personnel, developing local instructors who could carry the practice forward.
Resident Shihan · Malaysia
Jun Yamada Shihan
Jun Yamada Shihan (山田 惇), Aikikai 8th dan. He has devoted his life to building Aikido in Malaysia—and to creating a bridge of practice, trust and friendship between Malaysia, Japan and the wider Aikido community.
The 1971 mission
Sent from Hombu Dojo to Sarawak.
In 1971, Sarawak Chief Minister Tun Abdul Rahman Ya'kub visited Aikikai Hombu Dojo and requested an instructor who could teach a martial art centred on both physical and mental discipline. With the blessing of second Doshu Kisshomaru Ueshiba, Jun Yamada was sent to Kuching, Sarawak as Aikikai's resident instructor for Malaysia.
Yamada had studied Indonesian while at university in Tokyo, making him especially suited to life and teaching in Malaysia. He began at Rumah Sarawak, the Chief Minister's residence, and agreed with his first students to practise before dawn. The first group numbered 30 men and women from BINA.
His contribution
Building a Malaysian Aikido community.
Growing beyond Kuching
Over three decades, the community grew from its first 30 students to more than a thousand practitioners and spread into Peninsular Malaysia.
Sharing Aikido abroad
His teaching extended to Brunei, Jordan, Abu Dhabi and European seminars, strengthening relationships across Southeast Asia and beyond.
Keeping the Hombu connection
He conducted seminars, gradings and demonstrations while maintaining Akademi Aikido's direct relationship with the Aikikai Foundation.
Making Malaysia home
A life rooted in the country he came to serve.
Six months after arriving, Jun Yamada married Kimiko at Rumah Sarawak. They adopted the names Rashid and Qamariah, raised their family among the local community and taught Aikido together. Their children also became practitioners and instructors.
In 2001, after a request to teach at the Royal Malaysia Police training centre, Akademi Aikido moved its headquarters to Kuala Lumpur. The following year, Hideo Yonemochi, Director of Hombu Dojo's International Section, officiated the opening of the Japan Club dojo. The dojo welcomed both members and non-members.
Selected milestones
More than four decades of service.
1971Dispatched by Aikikai Hombu Dojo to begin teaching in Sarawak.
1971Started early-morning practice at Rumah Sarawak with 30 BINA members.
1993Led Aikido training at the International Islamic University in Kuching.
1995Invited to Brunei to teach HRH Prince Mohamed Bolkiah.
2001Moved the Akademi Aikido headquarters to Kuala Lumpur.
2002Established Royal Malaysia Police training and opened the Japan Club dojo.
2012Celebrated four decades of Aikido development in Malaysia.
2022Promoted to 8th dan by the Aikikai Foundation at the annual Kagamibiraki ceremony.
“In Aikido one doesn't regard the opponent as an enemy. Therefore there is no win or loss.”
From the 2002 Daily NNA interview with Jun Yamada Shihan
Archive
Read the original record.
This page draws from Akademi Aikido's archived biography, 2002 Daily NNA interview and historical updates.
Open the archived interviewView the official 2022 promotion list