Aikido was introduced to Norway in 1977 by Birger SORENSEN who was taught by Minoru KANETSUKA in London. Sorensen opened the first dojo in Norway in Tromso. The Norwegian Aikido Federation was established in 1983 and in 1984 became a member of the AIKIKAI HOMBU-affiliated EUROPEAN AIKIDO FEDERATION and the INTERNATIONAL AIKIDO FEDERATION. The Norwegian Federation was granted grading authority by the Aikikai Hombu the same year. The Aikikai technical director for Norway is Minoru KANETSUKA (U. K. ) who has made regular visits since c. 1980. The Federation includes about nine member dojos and 300 practitioners.