St. Luke’s International Hospital in Tsukiji, Tokyo, stems from Tsukiji Clinic built in 1884 by the Protestant Episcopal Church in the USA.

The Protestant Episcopal Church in the USA initiated missionary work in the Tsukiji settlement for Westerners in 1859, right after the opening-up of Japan to the West.  In connection with the missionary work, Tsukiji Clinic was established in 1884, which was the origin of present time St. Luke’s Hospital.  Tsukiji Clinic was enlarged again and again, thereafter, to become a full-scale general hospital named St. Luke’s International Hospital, which is one of the oldest general hospitals in Japan.  The building with a steeple with a cross on top in the center of the photo is an old chapel of the hospital built in 1933 and is carefully preserved inside and out.  This hospital was originally and managed by the Protestant Episcopal Church in the UAS though, it was run in later years thanks to the financial support from Japanese rich person in various fields and even from the Imperial families.  The hospital is now wall known as one of the prestigious general hospitals offering quality medical service.

Jason Hardy.

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