Disagreements between the two, however, led to Toyoda's departure from Tohei's organization. In 1984, with the assistance of  Jon Takagi, Toyoda founded his own Chicago-based organization, the Aikido Association of America. Now independent, Toyoda traveled extensively leading seminars.
Disagreements between the two parties led to Toyoda leaving Tohei's organization in 1984. He then established his own Chicago-based group, the Aikido Association of America, with Jon Takagi's help. Now independent, Toyoda has been traveling extensively to give seminars.