The Uechi Kokusai is lead by James Thompson from the Okinawan Academy out of Kalamazoo Michigan. Kyoshi, Thompson has over 45 years in martial arts training in multiple martial arts. He trained in Okinawa for over ten years and also had the honor of training with the late Kanei Uechi. Kyoshi, Thompson has vast military experience. He spent four tours of duty with special forces in Vietnam. He has also trained Green Berets in the art of hand to hand combat and survival techniques and has been involved in anti-terrorist training.

*The Uechi Kokusai has national and international members.