Born in Ehime, Japan in 1935. As a young boy he often practiced Sumo and also learned Judo, Kendo, and the Spear from his father. studied at the Takushoku University in Tokyo where he practiced karate. Became an instructor with the JKA and was sent to Taiwan. In later years he instructed in China, Hong Kong, America, Europe and Hawai'i where he led the Hawai'i Karate Association for 5 years.

Asai was instrumental in the break up of the JKA after Masatoshi Nakayama's death in 1985. He, along with a number of senior JKA instructors, opposed the appointment of Nakahara as Chairman and they formed a separate JKA. Following a lengthy legal battle, however, the Nakahara group won the rights to the JKA title and Asai's group adopted the name of the Japan Karate Shotokai (JKS).

Biographical article on Tetsuhiko Asai