Ordinations of women to priesthood in Japan
by the Rev. Timothy M. Nakayama
23 January 1999

Now that women can be ordained to the Priesthood of the Nippon Sei Ko Kai, such an ordination took place in the Diocese of Chubu during Advent, 1998. The most recent ordinations to the Priesthood took place in the Diocese of Tokyo on the Feast of the Epiphany, when two deacons were ordained Priests: The Rev. Shigeko Yamano, and The Rev. Tazu Sasamori.

Yamano has been teaching for a number of years at the Central Theological College, Tokyo, and has been an active member of the General Synod Committee for Peace and Justice.

Sasamori as a Deacon, was very active in her unflagging advocacy of the ordination of women to the Priesthood. She is a daughter of a priest who until recently was Dean of the Cathedral at Sendai, Diocese of Touhoku. He is presently serving a parish in Morioka, and is chair of the diocesan committee for the promotion of vocations to the ordained ministry.