In 2004 he reached the rank of Ni-dan (2nd Dan Black Belt) and accepted the title of Fukushidoin,  awarded yet again by Shihan W. Smith.  In the same year he went to Japan, spending 3 weeks in Tokyo where he found himself staying at a Ryokan (Japanese inn) of an Aikido student.  This students instructor was Ichiro Shishiya Sensei one Uchideshi of the late Shoji Nishio Shihan and Sensei Palmer took instruction while he stayed there.   Of course no trip to Japan would have been complete without regular visit to Hombu dojo, where he also took instruction from Doshu, Shihan's Seijuro Masuda, Tsuruzo Miyamoto, Yukimitsu Kobayashi and Shigeru Sugawara.

In January 2010 Sensei Palmer obtained the rank of San-dan (3rd Dan Black Belt) and dedicated his efforts to his ill father who passed away a month later.  2015 marked the 30th anniversary of the UKA and a special visit from Waka Sensei (Dojo-Cho). During this summer school, Sensei Palmer was promoted to the rank of Yon-dan (4th Dan Black Belt).

Each year in January, Hombu dojo celebrate the first training class of the new year with "Kagamibiraki" and announces the new year's promotions.  We are pleased to announce that sensei was honoured to be promoted the the rank of 5th Dan (Go dan) black belt in the honours list for 2022​.

In 2024, Sensei was promoted to Vice Principle within the club's association Go Shin Kai, where he is a senior Instructor (Shidoin).  He is also the association's Coach Liaison Officer and a British Aikido Board Coach Tutor Level-3.  
Sensei continues to improve his Aikido through diligent training and instruction at his clubs in Worcester and Kidderminster.