Father General has appointed Fr. Ioannes Baptista Tsutomu Sakuma as the new Provincial of the Japan Province. He was born in Kobe, Japan, 70 years ago, the city where he attended the Jesuit Junior and Senior High schools. His family was close to the Jesuits. He got a Bachelor of Science from Kyoto University before entering the Society in 1975, in Hiroshima, at the noviciate where Father Arrupe had been Novice Master for many years. He later studied at Sophia University (Tokyo), at Sankt Georgen (Germany) for his theological studies. He was ordained a priest in Frankfurt in 1995 and continued his studies at the Gregorian University (Rome) in Biblical Theology.

Father Sakuma has been a professor in the Theology Department of Sophia University from 1995 to 2022. He was also superior of the Jesuit community at Sophia (SJ House) from 2011 to 2016 and held the responsibilities of Provincial Assistant for Formation, Prefect of Studies and Province Consultor.

Tsutomo Sakuma, in accordance with his Japanese culture, is known as a quiet, hardworking and open-minded Jesuit. He has a good sense of humor and a friendly presence. With the wisdom and experience of his 70 years, he is expected to be a good leader for our difficult times. The date of his taking office has not yet been announced.