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Click to enlarge
Nov. 6, 1995

Official Announcement of the Closure of St. Joseph International School
by the Principal, Father James Mueller
The Letter

Note: Fr. Mueller was against the closure of SJIS. But the school's Board of Directors forced him to close the school. The Board of Directors was headed by Fr. Yoshimura (below).


Nov. 9, 1995

Official Announcement of the Closure of St. Joseph International School
by the Chief Director, Father Shinichiro Yoshimura
The Letter


Nov. 14, 1995

Letter from Y. Kawabuchi, SJIS A.A. president,
on school closure.
The Letter
1995
Closure announcement results in an explosion of protest; everything becomes political!

1996
Parent-Teachers-Organization vs. S.J.I.S. Board of Directors is all over the local Japanese media.  Fr. James Mueller, the S.J.I.S. principal who opposed the closure decision, is removed from office and gtransferredh to Osaka
May 9, 1996

Letter from Charles Stevenson '65*
concerning school closure
The Letter: Page 1
The Letter: Page 2
The Letter: Page 3
March 7, 1997

Fr. Yoshimura is stabbed to death
News Article
"Priest dies in stabbing in Sapporo"
March 8, 1997, on The Japan Times:
News Article in Japanese
"Shinpu Shisatsu no Nazo no Uragawa"
March 11, 1997, on Nikkan Gendai

1997
A new principal, Bro. Brisendine, is brought in.  The Marianist provincial spearheading the school closure, Fr. Shinichiro Yoshimura is murdered by a fellow religious in Hokkaido.  Principal quits amid tremendous open rancor

1998
Religious community at S.J.I.S. closed.  Bro. John OfDonnell, the next new principal, sets the school on course for closure.

1999
Large numbers of students transfer out.  Things quiet down somewhat, but some bitterness remains.

2000
Final 13 students graduate.  The 99 year history sadly ends.
June 4, 2000

Following the Class of 2000 Graduation on May 27, a well-attended
SJIS Alumni Millennium Reunion was held at the YCAC on June 3.
Alumni and friends gathered on campus to reminisce on the following
day - The Final Day of SJIS.