The second theocratic assembly for Japan was held in Nagoya, in October 1950. Again, most of the accommodations were arranged at the missionary home, and to be assured of some comfort a number of Japanese publishers even brought their bedding with them, from as far away as Kobe. It became known as the “sweet potato” assembly. And why? The rice ration was all used up for the first meal, so that for two days thereafter the main course at the cafeteria was sweet potatoes.

Osaka, to the east of Kobe, has had a long history of contact with Bible truth. It was here, in 1928, that Jizo Ishii and his wife first learned the truth, as reported previously. However, the first Watch Tower missionaries that came into this area met up with a problem. A group from Osaka that professed to have the truth attended the first assembly at Tarumi, Kobe, over the 1950 New Year period, but their noisy celebrating of the New Year and general way of life showed that they were far removed from Bible standards. Their “leader” baptized by sprinkling and for a handsome fee. When it became necessary to disfellowship him, most others of the group went their own way. It was arranged for Adrian Thompson, one of the missionaries in Kobe, to go to Osaka several days each week to oversee and strengthen the small congregation there.