yoshidamayuko Arrupe Refugee Center is celebrating its first anniversary.
“We want to support the accommodation of refugees who have come to Japan!”
Arrupe Refugee Center, established by a group of volunteers who have been involved in refugee support for many years, celebrated its first anniversary.
In April 2020, we borrowed the Jesuit Monastery of the Japanese Martyrs in Kamakura and began full-scale activities, providing housing for 13 refugees.
Despite the restrictions of the Corona Disaster limiting exchange activities with the local community, and face-to-face Japanese language classes, we received a great deal of support not only from the local community but also from people from Hokkaido to Okinawa. Once again, we would like to express our gratitude.
February 5 is the anniversary of the 26 Martyrs of Japan in the Catholic Church.
The 26 Martyrs of Japan were 26 Catholics who were executed by crucifixion in Nagasaki on February 5, 1597, by order of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. This was the first time that executions were carried out in Japan by order of the highest authority for reasons of Christian faith. The event is called the “Martyrdom of the 26 Saints,” but in Western countries, it is also called “St. Paul Miki and his Companions.” 26 were later added to the list of saints by the Catholic Church, and they became known as the “26 Martyrs of Japan. Their Catholic liturgical anniversary is February 5.
Reference: “26 Martyrs of Japan”
(Excerpt from Wikipedia)
Around the world, there is no shortage of refugees forced to leave their homeland because of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.
Arrupe Refugee Center will continue to work with the help of many people to warmly welcome refugees who have fled to Japan and help them to live independently in Japanese society.
February 5 is also the anniversary of the death of Father Pedro Arrupe, the 28th Superior General of the Society of Jesus, from whom the organization takes its name. Father Arrupe founded the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) in 1980 after witnessing the devastation of refugees in Indochina.
JRS is currently engaged in refugee assistance activities in 56 countries.
We would like to continue our activities to carry on the legacy of Father Arrupe, who “gave hope” to many people and be the hope for refugees who have fled to Japan. We ask for your continued support and cooperation.
February 5, 2021
NPO Arrupe Refugee Center
Kenji Arikawa, Executive Director
*One cherry tree in the garden was in bloom.
