[5] In 1958, Asai graduated from Takushoku University,[1] where he had trained in karate under Gichin Funakoshi, and Masatoshi Nakayama.

[5] At Nakayama's recommendation, he entered the JKA instructor training program and graduated from the course three years later.

[1] Following Nakayama's death, the JKA experienced political troubles and divided; Asai and colleagues (including Keigo Abe and Mikio Yahara) formed one group, while Nakahara Nobuyuki and colleagues formed another group—which in 1999 was officially recognized as the JKA.

[4] Reflecting on relations between JKA instructors who had graduated from Takushoku University, Asai said, "we all pretty much get on nowadays, contrary to our official stances and federations.

[5][11][13] Asai received the rank of 10th dan posthumously from the JKS,[5] and was eventually succeeded as President of the IJKA by his widow (despite her not being a karate practitioner) [14]