Save Akashi Elementary School!

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About me

Hello, I am Keiko. I graduated from Akashi Elementary School many many years ago…. Just recently the city council has decided to demolish this school building completely and reconstruct a new school, which was quite shocking to the local people whose families also studied at the same school over generations.

Therefore, I came around the idea that utilizing the power of Internet network, I would like to spread out the idea of the importance in preserving these valued schools or architect and ask for your support.

About Akashi Elementary School

Akashi Elementary School was built in 1926 under the “Revival Program” led by the Government of Tokyo to facilitate the recovery from the Great Kanto Earthquake which devastated the Kanto Region (Greater Tokyo) in 1923.

By the completion of this program, the government of Tokyo succeeded in having more than 110 new elementary schools built under this program were specifically called “Fukko (Revived) Elementary School”.

Akashi Elementary School is in fact one of those Fukko Elementary Schools and also one of the few (11) which as of today still remain and function as school in Tokyo.

Akashi In 1926

St. Lucas International Hospital and Akashi Elementary School

Catholic Church of St. Joseph
Tsukiji Parish Archdiocese of Tokyo
(located in front of Akashi Elementary School)

The great achievement of this “Revival Program” was not only to literally “reconstruct” the devastated areas but also to revitalize people’s minds and bring vibrancy back in the city; therefore, for the people in Tokyo, the Fukko Elementary schools have always been the iconic symbol of the spirit of their unity and strength.

What brings more historic values to the Fukko Elementary Schools is its western / modern architectural style. If you visit one of those schools today, you will find the strong influences of Western architecture and will be struck by the beauty of the fusion of Japanese and Western architectural styles. This represents Japan’s then cultural trend of modernization and internationalization and distinguishes Fukkko Elementary School from other regular Japanese schools.

Situated in the heart of Tokyo, Akashi Elementary school is surrounded by Tokyo’s two major areas, Ginza and Tsukij. Though I think some of you may find these two names quite familiar, Ginza and Tsukiji which are today quite famous for luxury shopping or Japan’s largest Fish-market amongst international tourists used to be the residential area for the foreigners in 1869-99．
　
This historical background left many of the landmarks in this area such as the chapel of St. Lucas International Hospital or St. Joseph Church and it has been a well-known fact that the area was able to avoid the air raid during the World War II due to these Christian buildings, especially the cross towering up on the St. Lucas International Hospital. Beautifully blended into these neighbor buildings, Akashi Elementary school is now an essential element to this area’s exotic atmosphere.

　While the “Revival Program” was undertaken, the Government of Tokyo asked foreign countries for their assistance in collecting the donations and according to the record, significant amount of money was forwarded to Japan from all over the world.

　So your ancestor’s donation may could have made “Revival Program” happen and saved Tokyo. So now, once again, as your grandparents or great grandparents supported us, we are hoping you would join us and help us saving the Akashi Elementary School!

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