Empress Teimei (1884-1951) was the consort of the Japanese Emperor Taisho and mother of Emperor Hirohito. She donated large sums from her privy purse to the Kaishun Missionary Leprosy Hospital and also to the working people in the leprosaria to encourage them to continue their service to the leprosy patients. In 1931, as a result of her benevolent acts, the Leprosy Prevention Society was established. On her birthday Leprosy Prevention Day was established and a nation-wide campaign for education in the prevention of leprosy was initiated. She attended the meetings of the directors of various Japanese leprosaria and participated in the discussions regarding the status of the leprosy patients, and the conditions in the leprosaria.

International Journal of Leprosy, Centennial Festskrift edition, Vol 41, No 2. 1973.