One must not confuse Kempo with other schools of martial arts prevalent today. Many of these, center on cultivating sheer strength, which is then measured by how many bricks one can break in a blow. Unlike these schools, the martial art of Nippon Kempo is characterized not by the cultivation of brute force. The cultivation of a balanced man in harmony with others is the objective of Nippon Kempo and its martial art is strictly in line with this aim.

The original meaning of the term "martial art" (Japanese term "Budo") is the way to suppress violence and to return to the way of man or more generally to promote peace and understanding between rivals.

The effectiveness of the techniques of Kempo is not determined by strength of size but rather by knowledge and application of rational, scientific and medical principles. Using these techniques, persons of either sex and of any age, size or strength can effectively protect themselves. By applying pressure to certain "switches" or pressure points, located in the muscles, bones or nerves of any person can effectively subdue an opponent of greater size and strength.

In order to master Nippon Kempo or attain its ranks of achievement, one must train in an orderly manner form the most fundamental steps through increasingly higher levels of mental and physical development. Mastery of Nippon Kempo is similar to the process of developing any potentiality. The sequence of practice and ranking system of Kempo teaches that the realization of man's potentialities is not achieved over night, nor is mastery an inborn talent; it is instead a cumulative process depending on great effort, discipline, patience, endurance, and unbending will.