 | Author's Name: Adrian Nelson Date: Wed 19 Mar 2025 |
Picture this: Two Japanese businessmen, Kisaji Fukushima and Umekichi Yoneyama, meet in Texas in 1917. One of them, Fukushima, is already a Rotarian in Dallas. The other, Yoneyama, is a banking executive on a mission to explore economic opportunities. What do they talk about? Business, certainly - but also something bigger: Rotary.
Fast forward to 1921, and Japan’s first Rotary club is born in Tokyo, with Yoneyama as president and Fukushima as secretary.
A second club was chartered in Osaka in 1923 (Rotary Melbourne’s sister club) and by 1925, more clubs had sprung up in Nagoya, Kobe, and Kyoto. When Rotary’s founder, Paul Harris, visited Japan in 1935 there were a dozen clubs.
But then, World War II.
By 1940, political tensions forced all 48 clubs to disband, but in secret, former members kept meeting in unofficial “day of the week” clubs, holding on to the ideals of service and fellowship.
After the war, Rotary made its comeback. Rotary Melbourne’s first Rotary International President, Sir Angus Mitchell, led this mission of global reconciliation, travelling over 100,000 miles to visit clubs worldwide and reintroduce Rotary in Japan and also Germany. In 1949, Tokyo was rechartered, and by Rotary’s 50th anniversary in 1955, Japan had grown to 140 clubs. Today, there are over 2,200 clubs in Japan and nearly 90,000 Rotarians, the third largest after the USA and India.
After the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, Rotary Clubs in Japan provided emergency aid, built temporary housing and supported long-term recovery efforts. Japanese clubs today fund scholarships, provide medical equipment donations, and promote sustainability. They also foster global peace through youth exchanges and reconciliation efforts.
On a day when Rotary Melbourne inducts our newest Japanese Consul General as a member, we reflect that Rotary in Japan is a testament to resilience, service, and the power of human connection.
For good food, good fellowship and the opportunity to serve, we give thanks.
Arigato
Adrian Nelson
Thank you to Adrian Nelson for providing this reflection on 19 March 25
