In 1958, Abbe founded the British Judo Council (BJC), and he went on to establish the British Aikido Council, British Karate Council, British Kendo Council, and British Kyudo Council. At this stage, he was travelling extensively through the UK and Europe, and also invited Japanese martial art masters to teach in the UK; these included Mitsusuke Harada (Shotokan karate) and Tadashi Abe (aikido). During this period, Abbe's family remained in Japan. Robinson (2007) wrote, " did invite his family to live with him in London however they refused, apparently not at all attracted by the life style that Kenshiro offered them in England."