Tokyo Facility Founded in the Wake of Great Kanto Quake Spearheads Specialized Elder Care Efforts, Research for 100 Yrs

By Morio Kodama / Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writer

16:37 JST, September 27, 2025

A five-minute walk west from Ring Road No. 8 through a quiet residential neighborhood, you’ll discover an area enveloped in greenery. This is Yokufukai, a comprehensive facility for the elderly. Founded in 1925 following the Great Kanto Earthquake of Sept. 1, 1923, the facility celebrates its 100th anniversary this year.

Yokufukai was established as a foundation to assist elderly people unable to support themselves after the earthquake, funded by donations from the Imperial family and relief funds. Its name was inspired by a passage from the Analects of Confucius, which discusses human happiness and ideals.

Today, the expansive 63,000-square-meter grounds are home to a special nursing home and rehabilitation facility — both for the elderly — complete with a hospital and more, making it one of Japan’s leading specialized institutions.

Two of the buildings — the reinforced concrete main building and the prayer hall — remain in their original state. The main building, with one basement level and three stories above ground, was designed by architects Yoshikazu Uchida, who also designed the University of Tokyo’s Yasuda Auditorium, and Tatsundo Toki. Its striking facade features a central tower, evoking the image of two outstretched wings. Its sturdiness is evident, with a Yokufukai administration official saying, “It is robustly earthquake resistant to this day.”

Once long used for patient rooms, the main building now houses the administrative office. During World War II, it was temporarily taken over by the Imperial Japanese Army’s intelligence unit. According to testimony from someone involved at the time and published in a Yokufukai newsletter, the main building stored foreign codebooks and related documents, which were burned just before the end of the war.

The prayer hall, built after completion of the main building, initially appears Christian-like, but inside is an Amida Buddha statue. According to Yokufukai’s 10th anniversary commemorative magazine, a bon-sho temple bell was once rung in the mornings and evenings. Read as “raihai-do,” the room’s name follows the Buddhist style. It was also used as an entertainment hall for events and performances.

Yokufukai is known for its research in geriatric medicine. Dr. Kazuo Hasegawa, a leading authority on dementia care, also served as a permanent director. The facility focuses on home-visit rehabilitation and offers telephone consultations for caregivers.

“We hope to continue contributing to society for the next 100 years,” said Toru Yamamoto, an executive director of Yokufukai.

Yokufukai

Address: 1-12-1 Takaido-Nishi, Suginami Ward, Tokyo

Access: Eight-minute walk from Fujimigaoka Station on the Keio Inokashira Line; 9-minute walk from Takaido Station on the line. A free shuttle bus is available from Takaido Station.