The North American YMCA efforts in Japan began with the work of John.T. Swift. Swift went to Japan in 1888 to teach English at the government schools. He formed Bible study groups which evolved into college YMCAs in the Imperial University, the Higher Middle College and the High Commercial College. With the assistance of the Minneapolis YMCA in 1889, the International Committee was able to secure funding for Swift's position and a permanent YMCA presence was officially created in Japan. The early work of the Japanese YMCA consisted of holding evangelistic meetings, publishing a magazine, forming a lending library and holding meetings on philosophical and religious subjects. In 1890 Seijiro Niwa became the first General Secretary of the Tokyo City Association. Under the leadership of Swift and Niwa the association work in Japan quickly spread. During the Russo-Japanese War, 1904-1905, and in Siberia at the close of World War I the Japanese YMCA provided service. In 1923 an earthquake damaged the association buildings in Tokyo and Yokohama, but the Japanese YMCAs were still able to provide assistance to the general public. The Depression ofthe 1930s put severe constraints on the number of American secretaries the International Committee was willing to send to Japan, and the Japanese continued involvement in Chinese Manchuria put further strains on the relationship. World War II ended the activity of the American YMCAs in Japan but the Japanese YMCAs were able to continue their work, though on a limited basis. Following the cessation of hostilities in Japan, Russell Luther Durgin was asked by the State Department to assist as an advisor to the Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers (SCAP). Six of the twelve major city YMCA buildings had been completely destroyed and several more were badly damaged by the Allied forces. Support to rebuild came from around the world. By 1949 there were YMCAs in 31 cities.
From the description of Records of YMCA international work in Japan, 1885-1991 (bulk 1885-1930). (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis). WorldCat record id: 670478835
