RIGHT POLICY TO WORK FOR POOR

This is a photo of homes flattened to the ground after the 1923 earthquake. The earthquake hit in the waters off of Yokohama bay. The city of Tokyo and the surrounding towns were heavily damaged. Approximately 100,000 to 150,000 lost their lives due the initial quake and the proceeding lack of food and medical care. 9/20/1923 - Tokyo, Japan: Scene of awesome destruction in Tokyo after Earthquake.

Those were dark days for Japan. A massive earth quake had hit the country. Millions were rendered homeless; famine broke out; disease followed; danger of anarchy loomed large.

The Emperor of the day realized that there must be an efficient administrator for the organization of relief measures – distribution of food, making available medical help and the provision of shelter to the homeless millions. There was only one man who was equal to the tremendous task – Kagawa.

Ironically enough, this great leader was in jail. He was released by a special order. The Government offered him a large salary, a huge residence, a car and all other comforts – if only he would undertake the task of organizing the relief.

Kagawa loved the poor folk. “Gladly will I accept this onerous responsibility, “he said. “But I shall accept no salary, no perquisites. To work with poor, I must be poor!”

Rightly is Kagawa known as the Gandhi of Japan.