The Imperial Police have named 51 officers as special training personnel in a ceremony held at the Sei’neikan martial arts hall within the Imperial Palace grounds, marking the force’s 140th anniversary.
The appointment ceremony took place on January 24 at the Sei’neikan, a traditional martial arts facility located in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, as reported by the Asahi Shimbun. Officers were selected across five disciplines: judo, kendo, archery, arrest techniques, and firearms.
The Sei’neikan, originally constructed in 1883 during the Meiji era under imperial directive, has served as a training ground for martial arts among imperial household officials and police personnel. The current building was completed in 1933 and continues to function as the primary dojo for the Imperial Police, who operate under the Imperial Household Agency.
Historical records indicate the facility was established following an imperial commission to Prince Tokugawa Yoshinobu and others, with the name derived from a passage in the Classic of Poetry referencing “numerous talented individuals brought to peace by King Wen.” Over its history, the Sei’neikan has hosted numerous imperial viewing matches and served as a venue for martial arts demonstrations attended by members of the imperial family.The building features a traditional irimoya roof with chidori hafu gables and spans over 300 tsubo in area. Inside, the hall includes a throne seat for the Emperor, flanked by calligraphy from Prince Arisugawa Takahito and paintings of Mount Fuji by Yokoyama Taikan. Notably, the facility lacks a Shinto shrine, with the throne symbolically representing divine authority.
The Imperial Police, responsible for the protection of the imperial family and the security of imperial properties, maintain rigorous martial arts training standards for their personnel. Protective detail officers regularly train in disciplines such as kendo, judo, and archery at the Sei’neikan to maintain readiness for their duties.
According to recent reports, the Imperial Police operate a selective recruitment process for martial arts experts, accepting only a small number of highly ranked judo and kendo practitioners each year. Over the past five years, the acceptance rate for these specialized positions has been approximately one in ten applicants.
The special training personnel designation recognizes officers who demonstrate exceptional skill and commitment to martial arts training. These individuals often dedicate additional hours to practice beyond standard requirements and may serve in specialized units such as the Special Security Detail, which handles high-risk protective operations.
One such officer, a 33-year-old sergeant holding sixth dan in kendo, described the training as essential for developing the physical readiness and spatial awareness necessary to respond effectively in emergency situations while protecting imperial family members and securing palace grounds.
The Imperial Police continue to emphasize martial arts proficiency as a core component of their protective mission, viewing disciplined training as vital to maintaining the high standards required for safeguarding Japan’s imperial institution.
As the force observes its 140th year of service, the latest appointments to special training roles reflect an ongoing commitment to excellence in protective services through traditional martial disciplines.
For updates on Imperial Police training initiatives and martial arts programs, readers can follow official announcements from the Imperial Household Agency.
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