[1] It is centered on the Aikikai Foundation in Japan, and its figurehead is the Doshu (the family heir of the founder of Aikido).

The Aikikai Foundation operates Hombu dojo, which is also named Aikido World Headquarters.

According to the tradition, Moriteru is expected to be succeeded as dōshu by his son, Mitsuteru Ueshiba (born 1981).

The Hombu Dōjō is officially named Aikido World Headquarters, and is entirely operated by the Aikikai Foundation.

However, regardless of recognition, all foreign aikido groups remain organisationally independent from the Aikikai Foundation.

The IAF is a nominally democratic organisation but special roles are given to the Doshu and a council of senior instructors, to safeguard the "technical and moral" integrity of aikido.

It has retained many of the aspects which Morihei Ueshiba valued, such as the non-competitive training system (as contrasted with Tomiki's development).

The pre-war aikibudo techniques taught by Morihei Ueshiba were generally closer to aikijujutsu whilst flowing technique was more emphasised as he became older, and this is reflected in the aikido of people who studied at different periods in time.

Seiseki Abe said: "As far as the Aikido [O-Sensei] practiced in his later years, even young girls, old people and children could do [the techniques].

"[7]Kazuo Chiba has implied that the style of training in Hombu concentrated less on physical rigor because of its demographic: "A large portion of the membership at Iwama Dojo consisted of local farmers, hard workers who spent all day in the fields.

They had thick bones and great physical strength, combined with a peculiar local character known as "Mito kishitsu," a type of manliness close to gallantry.

Because it is in the capital of Japan, Hombu’s membership consists of white-collar workers, intellectuals, businessmen, politicians and university students.

"[8]It has been noted by aikido researchers affiliated with other styles that many of the senior teachers at the Aikikai spent little time training under Morihei Ueshiba, and that Kisshomaru Ueshiba and Koichi Tohei (and following Tohei's departure, Kisaburo Osawa) were largely responsible for the Aikikai curriculum.