In April 1985, Stanley Pranin organized the first Aiki News Friendship Demonstration in Tokyo, commemorating the anniversary of O-Sensei’s passing.

Six aikido masters participated in the event. The list of the masters are: Shoji Nishio, 8th dan; Morihiro Saito, 9th dan; Kanshu Sunadomari, 9th dan; Mitsugi Saotome, Yasuo Kobayashi, Yoshio Kroiwa.

These six teachers had an opportunity to express their training philosophies, and display their technique in depth. In their respective lectures and demonstrations, each instructor lays out the best of his art, the product of decades of training under the tutelage of aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba. Every demonstration is accompanied by English translation by Stan Pranin.

Additional Friendship demonstrations were organized in 1986, 1987 and 1988.