By Naokatsu Takeshita

Yamanaka, Japan 8 June 2024 -- The Japan province (GIA) closed the Provincial Chapter, with 24 SDB delegates, on 6 June. It was held at the Salesian Sisters' retreat house in Yamanaka at the foot of Mt. Fuji, two hours from Tokyo.

Provincial Chapter 2024, which began on the Feast of the Eucharist of Christ, completed five fruitful days under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. During this Provincial Chapter, the following were discussed and approved, mainly as recommendations for the 29th General Chapter and to reshape our province.

The following agenda was set for PC 2024:

1. recommendations from Japan Province on the central issues 1-3 for the 29th General Chapter.
2. criteria for the restructuring of our works.
3. partial revision of the provincial directory.

Others (as main items)

1. Exchange of opinions on the concrete process for the Extraordinary Provincial Chapter 2025 to realize the restructuring of the office based on the criteria approved at the PC 2024.
2. Exchange of ideas on making Salesian brother the head of the community.
3. Report and exchange of opinions on the 100th anniversary of their arrival in Japan.

A time for free discussion about relevant problems of the province proved to be very useful.

Before closing the Provincial Chapter, one day before the Feast of Sacred Heart of Jesus, Fr Joseph Phuoc, Councillor for the East Asia-Oceania Region, presided over the ceremony of installation of the new Superior of the Japan Province, Fr. Francisco Assisi Hamasaki Atsushi.

God bless this new Superior of the Japan Province and help the confreres to implement the Chapter decisions.

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