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September 1, 1901, marks the day a dedicatory prayer was offered on a hill in Yamate, Yokohama, for missionary work in Japan by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Church members in Japan were blessed on August 30, 2026, to have a special all-Japan broadcast with Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Sister Susan Bednar, Elder Benjamin M. Z. Tai of the Presidency of the Seventy and Sister Naomi Tai, and Bishop L. Todd Budge, First Counselor in the Presiding Bishopric and Sister Lori Budge. The two-hour meeting provided a beautiful opportunity for all members to stop and remember and to reconnect with the pioneer history of the Church in Japan and to receive inspired counsel and an apostolic blessing to help them continue to flourish and prosper in the gospel and the Church in Japan.
For the first four missionaries—Heber J. Grant, Louis A. Kelsch, Horace S. Ensign, and Alma O. Taylor—missionary work in Japan, a country where Christianity had not yet taken root, surely presented numerous challenges and obstacles; yet, they began their efforts by reaching out to government officials and the media of the time.
Now, as we celebrate 125 years from that dedication prayer, Latter-day Saints in Japan study the gospel in Japanese—considered one of the most difficult languages in the world—hold meetings across the country, listen to sermons from Church leaders, and have the opportunity to contribute to their communities alongside many other good people engaged in virtuous work.
Mindful of this history and the faith and blessings cultivated by so many Church members, and with the desire to further increase these blessings and pass them on to the next generation, we—the members of the National Communication Council—carry out various activities across the country.
The National Communication Council is currently organized with over 35 members from across Japan, under the direction of Area Seventy Elder Shinjiro Hara and with Brother John Dorff (Urawa Ward, Tokyo Stake) serving as the Communication Director.
We find joy each day in witnessing the efforts of many Latter-day Saints across Japan—both as individuals and as units—to put the teachings of Jesus Christ into practice. This work truly serves to "build bridges" to the hearts of all people, just as President Nelson spoke of. To commemorate the special events of September 1, we have compiled the 2nd annual report showcasing a few examples of the work being done across Japan to "build bridges." We hope you feel confidence and joy in this wonderful gospel.
See: President Russell M. Nelson, “Building Bridges,” *Liahona*, December 2018.
“On every continent and across the isles of the sea, faithful people are being gathered into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Differences in culture, language, gender, race, and nationality fade into insignificance as the faithful enter the covenant path and come unto our beloved Redeemer.
Ultimately, we realize that only the comprehension of the true Fatherhood of God can bring full appreciation of the true brotherhood of men and the true sisterhood of women. That understanding inspires us with passionate desire to build bridges of cooperation instead of walls of segregation.”