“The Boy Scouts’ movement in Japan dates from about 1913, when they were organized in different parts of the country, but they then were only juvenile cadet corps for military training or simply associations of the club type.

“When the Boy Scout International Jamboree was announced to be held in London in 1920, it became very urgent that the Japanese organizations should be united.

“… [During the national conference held beginning April 13, 1920,] Viscount Shimpei Goto and Count Yoshinori Futara were elected to the presidency and the head of the Board of Directors respectively. Thus, the first step was taken for the establishment of an organ for the unity and guidance of the Boy Scouts of Japan.

“The active part taken by the Boy Scouts on the occasion of the Great Earthquake in Tokyo and vicinity, which occurred soon after [1923] the formation of the Association, convinced the general public of the urgent need of training institutions like Boy Scouts.”

– “The Boy Scouts of Japan”, The Mid-Pacific Magazine, March 1927

“Boy Scouts practising the motto ‘A good turn daily'”, c. 1920. The Japanese caption (一日一善ノ實行) translates to ‘doing one good deed each day’.(Colorized)

“The Japanese are talking of forming some troops also, and I hope they will. But they already get some of the Scout training in their own schools and homes.

“They learn that their first duty is to be loyal to their Emperor and country, and to make themselves strong, brave, and manly, so that they can serve their Emperor all the better. And every boy and every man carries out this idea. We know this from their wonderful bravery in their war with Russia.”

– Boy Scouts Beyond the Seas, by Sir Robert Baden-Powell, K.C.B., 1913