History Japanese Red Cross Society

flag of red cross

count sano tsunetami founded philanthropic society (博愛社, hakuaisha), relief organization injured of satsuma rebellion of 1877; modified version of japanese flag used organization until 1887. name changed japanese red cross society on 2 september 1887 following japan s admission international committee of red cross. later year, society engaged in first disaster relief after eruption of mount bandai.

from beginning, japanese imperial family, empress shōken, provided active support red cross activities. attendance of imperial family made membership in society socially attractive members of kazoku aristocracy , leading members of society. start of russo-japanese war (1904–1905), japanese red cross society largest in world, on million members.

the society played outstanding role regards many russian prisoners of war, gaining japan considerable amount of public relations in western press. image cultivated hosting of volunteer nurses , medical staff united states, france, germany , great britain. report anita newcomb mcgee on conditions in japan instrumental in obtaining government assistance in revitalization of american red cross.

after 1906 san francisco earthquake, japanese red cross society collected $146,000 american relief effort, marking first overseas operation society.

during world war i, german prisoners of war, captured imperial japanese army @ tsingtao, treated of red cross. in 1934, japanese red cross society hosted 15th international conference of red cross @ tokyo.

during second sino-japanese war (1937–1945), japanese red cross society played vital role in assisting japanese civilians , wounded soldiers. however, imperial japanese army tended ignore geneva convention, government , military restrictions hampered ability of japanese red cross society assist hundreds of thousands of european military , civilians interned in prison camps in japanese-occupied areas of southeast asia.

after world war ii, japanese red cross society reformed under american advisers. on 14 august 1952, given legal status special non-profit corporation.