Japanese Martial Arts is called "Budo." Budo literally means "the way of Martial" in the Japanese language: "Bu" is "Martial" and "Do" is "the way." "The Way of Martial (Budo)" expresses that Martial Arts should give influence to a way of human life. The purpose of Budo is educational: not "for fighting," but "for improving human being." People who practice Budo can develop body and mind through practicing and training martial arts and acquire matured personality. Moreover, people can contribute what they have acquired from Budo into their better life and society. Therefore, martial arts which purpose is only for fighting or earning money such as professional martial arts on TV shows cannot be called Budo. These martial arts are for fighting and money.
Japanese Martial Arts, Budo, contributes into education in Japan. All public and private schools in Japan can teach 9 Japanese Martial Arts as a school subject along the Government-regulated school curriculums. Especially, it is mandatory for middle school to teach one of 9 Japanese Martial Arts as a subject. However, it is impossible to teach other martial arts such as "XX jujutsu" or "XX Kempo karate" in Japanese because they are not recognized officially and nationally as Budo, Japanese Martial Arts.
There are 9 Japanese Martial Arts officially and nationally recognized as Japanese Martial Arts by Japanese Government.
1. Judo wikipedia (International Judo Federation)
2. Kendo wikipedia (International Kendo Federation)
3. Kyudo wikipedia (All Japan Kyudo Federation)
4. Sumo wikipedia (International Sumo Federation)
5. Karatedo wikipedia (Japan Karatedo Federation)
6. Aikido wikipedia (International Aikido Federation)
7. Shorinji Kempo wikipedia (World Shorinji Kempo Organization)
8. Naginata wikipedia (Japan Naginata federation)
9. Jukendo wikipedia (All Japan Jukendo Federation)
These 9 Japanese Martial Arts Federations established "Japanese Budo Association (Nihon Budo Kyougikai)" affiliated with Ministry of Education of Japanese Government. Japanese Budo Association English HP