Appeal May 2008: Let's understand the YMCA!

Chisato Koriyama, Chairperson of the Y-Service Committee

Now, it is necessary to explain the YMCA. If you ask if I mean the Japanese lyrics of "YMCA" (note 1) sung by Mr. Hideki Saijo, the Tokyo YMCA really has what agrees with the image of that song, but it is not all. Besides, the political and administrative side regards its state as questionable in the reform of the public service corporation system.
The YMCA has various figures historically or regionally. In Japan, there are various YMCAs, big or small, from Hokkaido to Okinawa. Especially, the Tokyo YMCA should not be decided simply as one of the local YMCAs, since it exists in the metropolis Tokyo.
More than 10 years ago, an inquiry to know the image of the Tokyo YMCA and the Yokohama YMCA was made. The answer: a cramming school for the Yokohama YMCA, a English school for the Tokyo YMCA, if I remember correctly. If it is all, the Y's men can be concerned with the YMCA only in a very limited sphere.
The greatest problem of the YMCA Service is to continue to ask what must be the YMCA. Without it, contribution of money, work as officer or member of a committee, volunteerism are, if I say favorably, a feeling of the daddy longlegs, but really, only a self-satisfaction.

note 1: "YMCA" of "Village People". But the Japanese lyrics is wholesome completely and doesn't contain any sexual purpose. "It's fun to stay at the YMCA" in problem is translated to Japanese: "Subarashii (wonderful) YMCA". Mr. Hideki Saijo is not gay. He encourages the young men and the young women seriously.