Articles [Special Issue: Religions and Epidemics]
Purification, Christianity, and Public Health
On Nihon MTL's Slogan “Save Lepers”
2021 Volume 95 Issue 2 Pages 99-120
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2021 Volume 95 Issue 2 Pages 99-120
Nihon MTL (henceforth MTL) or the Japanese Mission to Lepers, established in Tokyo in 1925, was the first Christian organization concerned with lepers run by Japanese. Though the group claimed its aim was to “save lepers,” MTL promoted segregation policy against the lepers through its journal, lectures, and every means that Japanese Christians could support. Urging them to enter national leprosaria was not to “save lepers” but rather to “save Japan,” a country which had more patients relative to other “advanced” countries at that time. This article explores the relationship between three key persons of MTL, namely the first chairperson Kobayashi Masakane who engaged in social welfare, Christian social activist Kagawa Toyohiko, and non-Christian medical doctor Mitsuda Kensuke. Mitsuda, the most significant figure in making policies regarding leprosy before the end of WWII, dominated this group though he did not have faith in Christianity. Kobayashi and Kagawa accepted Mitsuda's segregation policy since they had devoted themselves to social reform. Mitsuda took advantage of MTL as he knew MTL in Europe and the United States accomplished remarkable achievements.
