Ambassador Reiichiro Takahashi, Consul General of Japan in New York, will honor Mr. Tadashi Nakamura, a world-renowned karateka, with the Consul General’s commendation for making remarkable contributions to the promotion of mutual cultural understanding between Japan and the United States, by spreading the teaching of Japanese traditional martial arts, KARATE, to U.S. citizens and by his many years of philanthropic endeavors.

In 1953, Nakamura began his karate training with Masutatsu Oyama, the founder of Kyokushin Karate, and in 1959, he earned his shodan rank. At the time, he was the youngest Kyokushin student in Japan to earn a black belt. In 1961, at age nineteen, Nakamura debuted on the tournament scene with a first place triumph in the All-Japan Student Open Karate Championship.

In 1976, he established the World Seido Karate Organization in NY, which reflected his own beliefs about the true meaning of karate. Nakamura created Seido – which means "sincere way" in Japanese – to develop complete individuals who are committed to improving themselves and their communities. With the principles of love, respect, and obedience as the foundation of Seido Karate, Mr. Nakamura ensured that his students would develop spiritually and morally, as well as physically.

The World Seido Karate Organization actively supports community efforts through its nonprofit branch, the Seido Juku Benefit Foundation, a 501(c) nonprofit organization. Over the past 20 years, the Seido Juku Benefit Foundation and the World Seido Karate Organization have donated to a variety of nonprofit organizations, including the American Red Cross, Coalition High School, Domestic Abuse Services, Inc., Hale House, Hospitality House and Project Hospitality, and the New York City Fire and Police Departments.