The first World Judo Championships was held in May 1956 in Tokyo,with 31 participants from 21 countries. Thereafter, the championships was held once in two or three years, and later on every two years.

• 第1届世界柔道锦标赛于1956年在东京举行,来自21个国家的31名运动员参加了比赛,这以后世锦赛每2年或3年举行一次,后来,定为每2年举行一次。