The All Japan Judo Federation's referee committee has released the Judo Referee Licence Guide 2026 as a free PDF on its website. The document gathers in one place the rules that referees, coaches and organisers need in daily practice and at grading events.
Contents include the IJF contest refereeing rules in force in Japan from 1 April 2026, junior contest rules, certified referee regulations, the mindset and knowledge expected of a referee, and the historical evolution of the rulebook.
For Hong Kong readers, the guide is a useful window into how the Japanese federation interprets and applies IJF rules domestically, and into the kind of preparation Japanese referees receive ahead of major events such as the World Championships in Baku later this year.
Full document: All Japan Judo Federation