110827-0012 - Suicide Prevention

A sign along the railway in Suma, Kobe. The text reads, “Wait. God is Love.” (Chotto matte. Kami wa ai nari.) The sign was placed by Christian activist Nobu Jo (1872-1959) to save abused women from committing suicide.

While married to socialist Tomojiro Ito (伊藤智二郎), Jo launched the Kobe Women’s Welfare Association (神戸婦人同情会, Kobe Fujin Dojokai) in 1916 (Taisho 5). Jo’s organization assisted troubled women, especially those employed in prostitution.

She also launched the Aotani Aijien Kindergarten (青谷愛児園), orphanages and other organizations.

Jo is one of the 20th century’s most important Christian activists of Japan. Her organization was so famous that even the New York Times reported about it in 1929 (Showa 4).