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 good influence to a way of human life.
Therefore, 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. On the other hand, martial arts which purpose is only for fighting or earning money such as professional martial arts fighting shows on TV cannot be called Budo. They practice in order to show these martial arts, which is not for having a better life or society, but only for fighting and earning money. These martial arts cannot be called as Budo.
Japanese Martial Arts, Budo, contributes into education in Japan. All public and private schools in Japan can teach 9 Japanese Martial Arts below as a school subject along the Government-regulated school curriculum. Especially, it is mandatory for all middle school in Japan to teach one of the 9 Japanese Martial Arts as a subject. However, it is impossible to teach other martial arts such as "XX jujutsu" or "XX Kempo karate" at school in Japan because they are not recognized officially and nationally as Budo, Japanese Martial Arts.
There are 9 Japanese Martial Arts officially and nationally recognized as Budo, Japanese Martial Arts by Japanese Government.
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
Japanese Budo Association (Nippon Budo Kyougikai) defines in the "Philosophy of Budo" that Budo is a time-honored form of physical culture compromising of Judo, Kendo, Kyudo, Sumo, Karatedo, Aikido, Shorinji Kempo, Naginata, and Jukendo. Link to The Philosophy of Budo HP. VIdeo "Japanese Budo" produced by Japanese Budo Association.