2019 Japan National Day of Service

Preparations began in March, when the activities were planned by local leaders and entered into a nationwide database. An online platform to enable volunteers outside the church to sign-up for a group of activities was created and advertised on FaceBook, Google and Jimoty. Requests for information were forwarded to persons designated by the wards or stakes. Although numerous requests for information were received, only 2 volunteers registered through the online platform.

However, it appears that efforts to involve others were successful. Those who participated were invited by friends within the church, or members of an association cooperating with various projects. It is estimated that 4525 volunteers participated in the Day of Service in 2019 (Table 1). This included 831 who were not members of the church, compared to 238 who participated in 2018.

Volunteers participated in a wide variety of projects. This year, 32% of the activities were joint projects with community groups, cities, hospitals, or other groups, compared to 18% in 2018 (Table 2). Volunteers spent an average 2.3 hours each providing service, for an estimated total of 9989 man-hours. This was an increase of 28% over last year.

While May 18 was designated as the National Day of Service, projects were held as early as mid-April, and continued through June. Types of projects included: cleaning neighborhoods (22%) beaches (11%) parks (10%) and riverbank area (8%) (Table 3); others involved service at a nursing home, handicapped facility, or hospital (11%); others cooperated with local festivals, blood drives and restoring farms (8%); 11% involved either feeding the needy, children, or collecting donations to help the needy. This year, only 15% of the projects cleaned the neighborhood surrounding local church compared to about 50% in 2018. Clearly, activities in 2019 reached out in a broader sense to participate with or serve local communities and others.

Many lessons were learned from the 2019 Day of Service. Although 2019 was the second annual Day of Service in Japan, many local congregations have been carrying out service projects continually for decades. The Kanazawa Ward has been cleaning the Kenkokumin Beach Park for 30 years. The Fukutoku Ward has been cleaning a handicapped facility for 20 years. The Nakano Ward has been involved in an onigiri project to feed the homeless, cooperating with Franciscan Chappell, for 19 years. Other wards have multiple projects each year. In Nagoya, the Fukutoku Ward had two projects the same week; a takidashi to feed the homeless on Tuesday and cleaning a handicapped facility on Saturday. The Nakano Ward not only feeds the homeless every month, they help provide quilts, in cooperation with other wards and churches, to orphanage graduates each year. Another group of sisters works together nationwide to provide over 1000 ‘Christmas Boots’ to orphans and those in need. This has been ongoing for many years.

Service to others is a natural way of life for many members in Japan, following teachings in the Book of Mormon, “when ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your God,” (Mosiah 2:17), and the teachings of the Savior Jesus Christ, “If ye have done it unto the least of these your brethren, ye have done it unto me,” (Matt 25:40). Yet, humble in nature, few know of the sacrifices they make.

When asked why they participate many humbly stated that there was an activity and it was the right thing to do. Others expressed a desire to teach their children about the importance of service. One sister said, “I feel joy when I serve others and I want my children to experience the same thing.”

Elder Yoon Hwan Choi, Asia North Area President, expressed a similar sentiment. “The activity was a great opportunity to work side by side with the members and feel the joy of turning our hearts to others.” Elder Choi and his wife, Sister Bon Kyung koo Choi, helped Ebetsu Ward members clean the windows of a nursing home in Sapporo. “The patients in the nursing home watched us,” he continued, “We would smile and wave at them. It would have been nice to sit down and have a visit with them, or perhaps put on a short program with music.”

Elder Choi encouraged members to love those they serve and to find ways to have fun while serving. Setting the example, he teased Sister Choi by dirtying a window while she was washing it, prompting a nearby sister to ask if he always acted that way. Sister Choi, with a slight smile responded that he did, and by so doing shed a light on the deep love they have for each other.

Elder Choi also appreciated the many parents that brought their youth and children to the activities. “This is a wonderful example that parents are setting for their children. They see their parents take time to help and turn their hearts towards others. In turn, the children feel joy, and the love of their Heavenly Father. In this way, we are letting our light so shine before men, as the Savior has asked us.”

Finally, he suggested that in the future, congregations consider eating together after the activity. In Kanazawa, the ward held a barbeque afterwards, where volunteers gathered together to grill meats and vegetables and talk and spend time with each other. “Activities such as these give us the opportunity to feel the love of our Heavenly Father. As we work and play together, we share that joy with each other. Please take time to feel the joy that comes from serving others.”