YOKOHAMA, Japan — Among the many individuals in attendance in Yokohama for the centennial celebrating the opening of Japan to missionary work on Sept. 1, 1901, were the three members of the first stake presidency in Japan.

Photo courtesy Asia North Area Presidency

The first presidency of the first stake in Japan took part in the centennial. Kenji Tanaka, center, was the president of the Tokyo Stake with Elder Yoshihiko Kikuchi, now of the Seventy, left, and Kenichi Sagara as counselors.

Called and set apart by Elder Ezra Taft Benson and Elder Gordon B. Hinckley of the Quorum of the Twelve on March 15, 1970, this first stake presidency was composed of entirely native members and signaled the coming of age of the Japanese saints. Kenji Tanaka, who had joined the Church in 1952, was called to be the first president of the Tokyo Stake. He selected as counselors Yoshihiko Kikuchi, who was baptized in 1955, and Kenichi Sagara, who became a member in 1958.

As important as being the first Japanese stake presidency, these three men also set a standard in terms of diligence and faithfulness for the many other Japanese stake presidencies that would soon follow.

Brother Tanaka described his setting apart as stake president: "As Elder Benson laid his hands on my head to set apart a person who was like a little child and the most inexperienced in the world at the time as the stake president, he blessed me that I would receive all the necessary guidance from heaven and the Church leaders, that I would be given worthy people to work with, and that all the things necessary to feed the Lord's sheep would be given to my humble soul. We had worked hard hoping to build a stake of Zion in a non-Christian country, Japan. However, I personally thought that someone else who was worthy would be called to take upon the leadership. In the first stake conference, I felt the Spirit of the Lord approach me, calmly at first, then, eventually it was so strong that my whole body trembled. The Spirit commanded me to 'Feed my sheep.' (See John 21:15-17.)"

In 1970, there were approximately 12,500 members of the Church in Japan. While only a tiny minority of the more than 120 million population of Japan, this was, nonetheless, a large number compared to the few more than 100 members that existed prior to World War II. More than just numbers, by 1970 the Japanese saints were starting to mature in the gospel and since 1965 have assumed most of the leadership positions in the Church in Japan.

Indeed, the same single-mindedness and determined effort that brought success to Japan's re-construction and industrialization efforts following World War II also characterized how the Japanese saints approached preparation for the organization of stakes in Japan.

In President Hinckley's biography it is noted that Elder Benson asked him to train the new stake leaders, and he began his instruction by asking questions that tested their familiarity with the General Handbook of Instructions. To his first question, one man responded with the answer, including the page on which it could be found in the handbook. Another man responded similarly to the second question. Elder Hinckley's third question elicited the same kind of informed response.

Photo courtesy Asia North Area Presidency

Elder Heber J. Grant and his companions opened the nation of Japan to the gospel in 1901.

"How is it that you are so well versed in the handbook?" Elder Hinckley finally asked. He learned that the year before, these priesthood leaders and their families had vacationed together. Each day the men spent time studying the handbook, and by week's end they knew how a stake should be administered. Elder Hinckley said he was humbled by the preparation of these men to whom he felt such personal attachment.

Five years after the organization of the first Japanese stake, it was divided into two stakes, Tokyo Japan and Yokohama Japan. Yoshihiko Kikuchi, now of the Seventy and a member of the Asia North Area presidency, was called to lead the Tokyo Stake and Hitoshi Kashikura (now serving as an Area Authority Seventy) to head the Yokohama Stake.

Another stake was organized in Osaka with Noboru Kamiyo as its first stake president. Where there had only been one stake, there were now three. This process was to continue as each of the stakes expanded and was split, and districts matured into stakes. There are now 30 stakes in Japan. The leaders also grew from their experiences and set the example by continuing to serve.

All three members of the first stake presidency had the opportunity of serving as mission presidents, with Kenji Tanaka and Kenichi Sagara also serving as regional representatives and Yoshihiko Kikuchi being called in 1977 as the first native-born Japanese to serve as a General Authority.

Perhaps more important, they nurtured their families, and over time have been able to see their children serve missions and be blessed with spouses and children who are active in the gospel. These men were the first stake leaders in Japan, but their examples set the stage for many to follow.