Goju Ryu Karate Do Uchiage Kai has clubs in 21 countries all over the world. Uchiage Kai is a member of J.K.F. Goju-Kai.
On March 18, 1972, the Steveston Community Society opened the first and only Martial Arts building, (or dojo), to be built outside of Japan. The city of Richmond followed in 1973, with its acknowledgment of the contribution made by the Japanese community, by joining with Wakayama to become sister cities. On May 2, 1973, the prospect of this union brought to Steveston the Mayor of Wakayama from 1966 until 1989, Grand Master Shozo Ujita, 9th Dan and president of J.K.F. Goju-Kai and also Vice President of the J.K.F. (Japan Karate-Do Federation.) Mayor Ujita surprised that there was no Karate in the bright new Martial Arts building, offered to provide an instructor. He quickly sent one of his top students, Sensei Takeshi Uchiage, as a goodwill ambassador. At the time, Sensei Uchiage was coach of Tenri University, in Nara, Japan. He was also the Technical Advisor of the University of Osaka Keizai Taiiku-Kai Karate Club.
When Sensei Uchiage arrived in Canada, he became the houseguest of Mr. Jim Kojima, who is president of Judo Canada, and a Chief director of the International Judo Federation and also the Vice President of the Sister City twinning committee.
Sensei Uchiage began his teaching in Mr. Kojima's back yard, and by the middle of May 1973, he formed the Steveston Karate Club. Some of the original students; Keith and Barbara Whittle, still remain active members of the club.
Grand Master Ujita first visited the newly formed Club in July 1973, when he came to Richmond to officially sign the documents for the twinning of the Sister City. He visited the club several more times and brought with him another Grand Master, Kenzo Uchiage, J.K.F. 9th Dan. Other visiting guest instructors have included Sensei Isamu Soma, J.K.F. 8th Dan, Sensei Katsumi Hakoishi (Wado), J.K.F. 8th Dan, Sensei Akira Shiomi, J.K.F. 8th Dan, Sensei Toshiyuki Kurai, J.K.F. 8th Dan, Sensei Kazuio Tanizawa (Wado), J.K.F. 7th Dan, and Sensei Kiyoshi Yamazaki (Ryobu Kai), J.K.F. 7th Dan.
In September 1975, Sensei Uchiage's junior student from the Tenri University Karate Club, Mr. Keisuke Mori, came to Steveston as an assistant instructor. Since then, the club has continued to provide a high caliber of Karate instruction, offering an opportunity to many students and groups from all over the World to visit and train at the well known Martial Arts Center.