Okano was on the panel of Masters of the Japan Karate - do Federation ( JKF ) and was declared a Living National Treasure of Japan before he died on July 19 , 2003 , at the age of 81 .
Okano was on the panel of Masters of the Japan Karate - do Federation ( JKF ) . 
 He died on July 19 , 2003 , at the age of 81 .