In 1925 the Imperial Japanese Ministry of Education and the Department of War began to attach military officers to public schools to establish a military training system.
In 1931 instruction in budo, the traditional martial arts of Japan, became compulsory for all students in middle and normal schools. Students were required to train themselves in either judo or kendo.
Budo, the martial way, was intended to promote bushido (samurai spirit), patriotism and understanding of “the origin of the nation and the dignity of the national constitution.”