The argument being that there is a distinct qualitative difference in the playing level and style of nationalities where Japanese people lived or immigrated to before WW2, and countries that began practicing Kendo post-war.

Another opinion is that the level of non-Japanese referees is not of high enough caliber for matches to be judged fairly.

[citation needed] On 4 September 2020, FIK postponed the 18th championships (18WKC), originally scheduled for May 2021, to a later date, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It was then cancelled on 20 February 2021[2] The 19th World Kendo Championships (19WKC) was held in Milan, Italy from 4-7 July 2024.

[3][4] A Kendo practitioner from Taiwan competed for the Chinese team causing controversies regarding his qualifications and citizenship.