Aikido Northwest follows the system and curriculum of the Aikikai Hombu Dojo in Tokyo, Japan (the Aikikai World Headquarters).Within the United States, Aikido Northwest is an affiliated dojo of the California Aikido Association (CAA). The CAA is comprised of three divisions, which represent dojos throughout the United States and countries abroad. Aikido Northwest is part of Division II, which is headed by Frank Doran Shihan, Nanadan (7th degree black belt), and chief instructor of Aikido West in Redwood City, California.