In Memoriam
Sayoko Arai

We regret to have to announce that Council member Mrs. Sayoko Arai passed away on December 8th of cirrhosis of the liver, at the age of 75; the funeral took place on December 13th at St. Ignatius Catholic Church, and some Council members and others from the Society attended. The chief mourner was her husband, Tadahiko. We were greatly shocked at the news of her death, as she had not shown any signs of illness.

Mrs. Arai was a graduate of Sacred Heart University, and also studied in Paris and New York. For a short time she worked with the Japanese delegation to the United Nations. She was a pioneer in the field of simultaneous interpretation, as well as a crusader for women's volunteer activities and the author of several books. In 1988 she set up the Tokyo Women's Forum, a group of housewives who extend help to needy people at home and abroad. She also served as a vice-president of International Social Service Japan, and was on the central committee of the National Federation of UNESCO Associations in Japan.

She joined the ASJ in 2000, and was elected as a Council member in 2002. Through her connection with Music for Youth she helped the Society greatly when we were in need of an office by arranging for us to share an office in Akasaka with Music for Youth. 

Council member Mrs. Doreen Simmons writes: I have known Sayoko Arai for many years as our paths came together many times, in matters of music, women's issues, and, more recently, as fellow-members of the Asiatic Society Council. I always admired her tremendous energy and enthusiasm; as I got to know her better, I have also come to appreciate her sound common sense and human wisdom. I shall miss her very much.