Japanese Red Cross Society

Sano Jōmin attends the Paris Exposition (encounter with the Red Cross)

Sano Jōmin and Ōkura Tsunetomo establish the Hōa Society to care for wounded in the Satsuma Rebellion

In February 1877 (Meiji 10), the Satsuma Rebellion erupted. Intense fighting between the Meiji government forces and the Satsuma army caused heavy casualties on both sides. In response to this tragic situation, senior officials Sano and Oka Tokuhisa of the House of Peers realized the need for medical care for wounded soldiers during war and conflict, and resolved to establish a Red Cross–style medical organization in Europe, setting out to create one in Japan.

In May of the same year, the command in Kumamoto appealed, and Prince Arisugawa Takahito decisively authorized the activities of the Hōai Society. The society's medical staff immediately rushed to the field to care for wounded soldiers of both the Imperial and Satsuma forces.

Opening of the Hōai Hospital

In 1886 (Meiji 19), the Hōaisha Hospital was established in Koji‑cho, Tokyo, with its headquarters, and Hashimoto became the first director

When Japan joined the Geneva Convention in 1886 (Meiji 19), the Hōai Society was renamed the Japan Red Cross Society in 1887 (Meiji 20), a name it retains to this day.

Establishment of the Tōshi Nursing Association

Hōa Society is renamed the Japanese Red Cross Society

In 1887 (Meiji 20), Hōaisha was renamed the Japanese Red Cross Society and became the Japanese Red Cross Hospital

In 1887 (Meiji 20), the Hōai Society was renamed the Japan Red Cross Society.

In 1887 (Meiji 20), the Hōaisha was renamed the Japanese Red Cross Society, and the hospital name was changed to Japanese Red Cross Hospital.

On June 2, 1887 (Meiji 20), the Japanese Red Cross Society's dedicated nursing association was founded

On June 2, 1887 (Meiji 20), the first volunteer group of the Japanese Red Cross Society, the Japanese Red Cross Society Aki-shi Nursing Women's Association, was established.

Aid during the Iwate Mountain Eruption Disaster

In 1888 (Meiji 21), rescue operations following the Iwate–Miyagi earthquake.

On July 15, 1888 (Meiji 21), a large eruption of Mount Iwate prompted the dispatch of medical personnel, marking the first disaster relief activity of the Japanese Red Cross Society

On July 15, 1888 (Meiji 21), following the massive eruption of Mount Iwate, a relief worker was dispatched to the site, marking the first disaster relief activity of the Japanese Red Cross Society.

Start of Nurse Training

Sinking of the Turkish warship Ertuğrul

In 1890 (Meiji 23), nursing training began.

In 1890 (Meiji 23), the incident involving the Turkish warship Ertuğrul.

In April 1890 (Meiji 23), the Japanese Red Cross Society began training nurses

At night on September 16, 1890 (Meiji 23), the Turkish warship Ertuğrul ran aground and medical assistance was rendered

On the night of September 16, 1890 (Meiji 23), the Turkish warship Ertuğrul sank off the Kumano coast, and villagers from Ōshima Village, Wakayama Prefecture, carried out rescue operations.

In the afternoon of September 19, 1890 (Meiji 23), two doctors and two nurses were dispatched from Tokyo to Kobe

In 1891 (Meiji 24), the hospital was relocated to Shibuya

In 1891 (Meiji 24), the hospital was relocated to Shibuya.

Aid during the First Sino-Japanese War (until 1895)

In 1894 (Meiji 27), medical care during the First Sino-Japanese War (until 1895).

In 1896, the Japanese Red Cross Society published its own textbook, "Japanese Red Cross Nursing Textbook"

In 1896, the Japanese Red Cross Society Nursing Textbook was published.

Aid during the Russo-Japanese War (until 1905)

In 1904 (Meiji 37), medical care during the Russo-Japanese War (until 1905).

In 1911 (Meiji 44), the Japanese Red Cross Society incorporated tuberculosis prevention and eradication into its activities

Empress Shōken donates a fund to the International Red Cross; the "Empress Shōken Fund" is established

In 1912 (Taisho 1), the Empress Shōken donated a fund to the International Red Cross, establishing the "Empress Shōken Fund."

In 1913 (Taishō 2), the Japanese Red Cross Society established guidelines for tuberculosis prevention and eradication

In 1913 (Taishō 2), tuberculosis prevention and eradication guidelines were established, and systematic efforts began.

Aid during World War I (until 1915)

Opening of a summer camp for frail children

In 1914 (Taishō 3), the Kyoto branch opened a summer health resort on Amanohashidate Beach for frail children

In 1914 (Taisho 3), medical care during World War I (until 1915).

1914 (Taisho 3) – Opening of a summer health resort for frail children.

In 1914 (Taishō 3), the Kyoto branch opened a summer resort for frail children at Amanohashidate Coast.

Three Japanese Red Cross nurses receive the first Nightingale Medal

Polish orphan relief

In 1920 (Taisho 9), the first International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement Conference held in Geneva resolved that 'youth should be organized' as one of the federation's post-World War I initiatives.

The health and safety training sessions originated from the 1920 (Taisho 9) conference resolution, marking the start of health promotion and disease prevention activities as peacetime work of the Red Cross.

1920 (Taisho 9) – Three Japanese Red Cross nurses received the First Nightingale Medal. Polish orphan rescue.

In 1920 (Taisho 9), the first International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement Conference held in Geneva decided that "youth should be organized" as one of the federation's post-World War I activities. At the second conference in 1922, specific objectives and organizational forms were decided, marking the beginning of the Boy Scouts of the Red Cross.

Birth of the Boy Scouts of the Red Cross

At the second federation conference in 1922, specific objectives and organizational forms were decided, leading to the establishment of the 'Boy Red Cross'.

The first domestic Boy Red Cross group was founded in 1922 (Taisho 11) at Moriya Elementary School in Shiga Prefecture.

1922 (Taisho 11) – Birth of the Boy Scouts of the Red Cross.

The first Boy Scouts of the Red Cross in Japan was established in 1922 (Taisho 11) at Moriyama Elementary School in Shiga Prefecture. After that, schools across the country joined in succession.

Aid during the Great Kanto Earthquake

1923 (Taisho 12) – Relief for the Great Kanto Earthquake.

Launch of "Health Lecture Sessions"

In 1926 (Taisho 15), the training outline first introduced emergency care and home nursing as subjects.

The Boy Red Cross magazine of Taisho 15.

Magazine "Shonen Akajuu" Volume 1 Cover

1926 (Taisho 15) – Launch of "Health Education Sessions."

Aid during the Manchurian Incident

1931 (Showa 6) – Relief during the Manchurian Incident.

15th International Conference of the Red Cross (Tokyo)

In 1934 (Shōwa 9), the Iwate branch established a nursery in the Morioka Red Cross Hospital, becoming the first social welfare facility of the Japanese Red Cross Society

1934 (Showa 9) – 15th International Red Cross Conference (Tokyo).

In 1934 (Shōwa 9), the Iwate branch established a nursery within the Morioka Red Cross Hospital, becoming the first social welfare facility of the Japanese Red Cross Society.

Medical and relief activities from the Sino-Japanese War to the end of World War II

1937 (Showa 12) – Relief activities from the Second Sino-Japanese War to the end of World War II.

Reorganization of the Youth Red Cross

Birth of the Red Cross Service Corps

1948 (Showa 23) – Organizational change of the Youth Red Cross. Birth of the Red Cross Service Group.

In 1948 (Showa 23), the International Red Cross Conference proposed the role of the Red Cross in blood services, prompting countries to launch blood programs.

Opening of the Blood Bank

Enactment of the Japanese Red Cross Society Act

In 1952 (Showa 27), the Japan Red Cross Central Hospital opened the Tokyo Blood Bank branch, launching its blood services.

1952 (Showa 27) – Opening of the blood bank. Beginning of blood services.

1952 (Showa 27) – Enactment of the "Japanese Red Cross Society Act."

In 1952 (Showa 27), the Japanese Red Cross Society Central Hospital opened the Tokyo Blood Bank office of the Japanese Red Cross Society, initiating blood services.

Assistance for Korean Residents in Japan Returning to North Korea (until 1967)

1959 (Showa 34) – Assistance to Korean residents in Japan returning to North Korea (until 1967).

First postwar overseas medical team deployment (Congo crisis)

1960 (Showa 35) – First postwar overseas medical team dispatched to the Congo crisis.

The Federation Council adopts the Japanese Red Cross proposal to prohibit the use and testing of nuclear weapons

1963 (Showa 38) – The Federation Council passed the Japanese Red Cross proposal for a resolution banning the use and testing of nuclear weapons.

In 1964 (Showa 39), a cabinet decision united the national government, local authorities, and the Japan Red Cross, fully launching blood services.

By 1974 (Showa 49), all transfusion blood was supplied by donations.

Vietnamese refugee assistance program (until 1995)

1975 (Showa 50) – Vietnam refugee assistance program (until 1995).

100th Anniversary of the Japanese Red Cross Society, Completion of the New Headquarters Building

1977 (Showa 52) – 100th anniversary of the Japanese Red Cross; new headquarters building completed.

Launch of the "NHK Overseas Assistance" campaign

1983 (Showa 58) – Launch of the "NHK Overseas Help" campaign.

Dispatch of medical team for the JAL aircraft crash at Mount Oune in Gunma Prefecture

In 1985, during the Iran–Iraq War, Turkey operated a special airlift to rescue Japanese nationals

1985 (Showa 60) – Dispatch of a relief team after the JAL Flight 123 crash on the ridge of "Mitsukawa" in Gunma Prefecture.

In 1985, during the Iran–Iraq War, Turkey dispatched a special air transport to rescue Japanese nationals.

Aid during the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake

1995 (Heisei 7) – Relief for the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake.

In 1995, the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake occurred.

Dispatch and activity of medical team for the hostage incident at the Japanese Embassy in Peru

1996 (Heisei 8) – Dispatch and activity of a relief team during the hostage incident at the Japanese Embassy in Peru.

In 1999, the Great Turkey Earthquake occurred.

Introduction of the first ERU (Emergency Response Unit) during the Indian earthquake

In 2001 (Heisei 13), the first Emergency Response Unit (ERU) was introduced during the Indian earthquake.

Aid during the Niigata Prefecture Central Eastern Earthquake

Rescue operations for the earthquake and tsunami disaster off the coast of Sumatra

In 2004 (Heisei 16), disaster relief for the Niigata Prefecture Naka-jo earthquake and rescue operations for the Sumatra Island offshore earthquake and tsunami.

International Red Cross and Red Crescent Pavilion exhibited at the Aichi Expo

In 2005 (Heisei 17), the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Pavilion was exhibited at the Aichi Expo.

East Japan Great Earthquake Rescue and Reconstruction Support (up to 2021)

In 2011 (Heisei 23), emergency care and reconstruction support for the Great East Japan Earthquake (until 2021).

In 2011, the Great East Japan Earthquake occurred.

Kumamoto Earthquake Disaster Rescue

In 2016 (Heisei 28), disaster relief for the Kumamoto earthquake.

West Japan Heavy Rain Disaster Rescue

Hokkaido Chitose Eastern Earthquake Disaster Rescue

In 2018 (Heisei 30), emergency care for the western Japan heavy rain disaster and for the Hokkaido Tohoku Eastern earthquake.

East Japan Typhoon (No. 19) Heavy Rain Disaster Rescue

In 2019 (Reiwa 1), emergency care for the Great East Japan Typhoon (No. 19) heavy rain disaster.

Response to the COVID‑19 pandemic

From 2020 (Reiwa 2) onward, response to the novel coronavirus infection.