Japan

Founded
1901 August 12

Missionaries, under the leadership of Heber J. Grant, arrived in Japan on 12 August 1901. A few weeks later, on 1 September, President Grant dedicated the country for the preaching of the Gospel. Work continued until June 1924 when the First Presidency decided to close the mission. The mission president was released 31 July 1924 and the last missionaries departed on 7 August. The mission reopened in 1937 with headquarters in Honolulu, Hawaii.

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Heber J. Grant Called as President

1901 July 18 – 1903 September 18  See Missionaries

Date Details

Started On 1901 July 18
Set Apart
Ended On 1903 September 18
Arrived at Home

Mission Founded

1901 August 12

Missionaries Arrive

1901 August 12

The first group of missionaries arrive in Japan.

The mission home was located at No. 16 Kasumigao Kamachi, Yotusya, Tokyo, Japan.

Date Details

Occurred On 1901 August 12

Horace Samuel Ensign Called as President

1903 September 8 – 1905 July 8  See Missionaries

Date Details

Started On 1903 September 8
Called
Ended On 1905 July 8
Departed from Field

Alma Owen Taylor Called as President

1905 July 8 – 1910 March 30  See Missionaries

Date Details

Started On 1905 July 8
Called
Ended On 1910 March 30
Departed from Field

Book of Mormon Printed

1909 October 6

The first copies of the Book of Mormon in Japanese were printed in Tokyo.

Date Details

Occurred On 1909 October 6

Elbert Duncan Thomas Called as President

1910 January 1 – 1913 April 22  See Missionaries

Date Details

Started On 1910 January 1
Called
Ended On 1913 April 22
Arrived at Home

Headquarters Move

1910

The mission home was located at 81 Yakuojimae, Machi, Ushigome, Ku, Tokyo, Japan.

Date Details

Occurred On 1910

Heber Grant Ivins Called as President

1912 October 24 – 1915 July 24  See Missionaries

Date Details

Started On 1912 October 24
Called
Ended On 1915 July 24
Departed from Field

Joseph Henry Stimpson Called as President

1915 February 15 – 1921 February 18  See Missionaries

Date Details

Started On 1915 February 15
Set Apart
Ended On 1921 February 18
Departed from Field

Lloyd Oscar Ivie Called as President

1921 January 18 – 1924 January 22  See Missionaries

Date Details

Started On 1921 January 18
Set Apart
Ended On 1924 January 22
Departed from Field

Hilton Alexander Robertson Called as President

1924 January 22 – July 31  See Missionaries

Date Details

Started On 1924 January 22
Called
Ended On 1924 July 31
Released

Mission Closed

1924 June 12 – August 7

On 12 June 1924 the First Presidency published an announcement in the Improvement Era that the Japan Mission would be temporarily closed. Two weeks later a cablegram was received at mission headquarters stating that all missionaries were to withdraw from Japan temporarily. The following day a letter was received confirming the cablegram.

Most missionaries had been officially released by the end of July, with mission President Hilton A. Robertson being released 31 July. He then departed with the last group of missionaries on 7 August 1924. 

Date Details

Started On 1924 June 12
Ended On 1924 August 7

Mission Reopened

1937

The Japanese Mission was opened with headquarters in Honolulu, Hawaii, to proselyte to Japanese-speaking people in the islands.

Date Details

Occurred On 1937

Hilton Alexander Robertson Called as President

1937 January 29 – 1940 September 5  See Missionaries

Date Details

Started On 1937 January 29
Set Apart
Ended On 1940 September 5
Released

Jay Clair Jensen Called as President

1940 August 12 – 1943 January 31  See Missionaries

Date Details

Started On 1940 August 12
Departed from Home
Ended On 1943 January 31
Departed from Field

Edward La Vaun Clissold Called as President

1944 April 13 – May 14  See Missionaries

Date Details

Started On 1944 April 13
Set Apart
Ended On 1944 May 14
Released

Vinal Grant Mauss Called as President

1949 August 4 – 1953 September 10  See Missionaries

Date Details

Started On 1949 August 4
Set Apart
Ended On 1953 September 10
Released
Media
Japan (1901 - 1924) Profile
Japan (1901 - 1924) Profile
Japan Dedication Site
Japan Dedication Site
Missionaries in Japan
Missionaries in Japan
First Mission Home in Japan
First Mission Home in Japan
Missionaries in Yokohama
Missionaries in Yokohama
First Missionaries to Japan
First Missionaries to Japan
Missionaries in Japan
Missionaries in Japan
Missionaries in Japan
Missionaries in Japan
Opening the Japan Mission
Opening the Japan Mission
Japanese Mission Home in Hawaii,  1938 December
Japanese Mission Home in Hawaii, 1938 December
Missionaries in Tokyo,  1902 February 17
Missionaries in Tokyo, 1902 February 17
Wailuku Mission Home, Japanese Hawaiian Mission, 1941, Circa 1941
Wailuku Mission Home, Japanese Hawaiian Mission, 1941, Circa 1941
"The Old Homestead" Japanese Mission Home in Hawaii,  1938 October 5
"The Old Homestead" Japanese Mission Home in Hawaii, 1938 October 5

Sources

Mission