興亜厚生大會寫真帖 : 紀元二千六百年, Kōa Kōsei Taikai shashinchō : kigen nisen roppyaku nen

Editor

Chūma, Kaoru

Date

• 1941

Publisher

Ōsaka-shi: Kōa Kōsei Taikai Jimukyoku

Summary

• Published album of Kōa Kōsei Taikai, an exercise and performance event sponsored by Osaka, the Japan Welfare Association (Nihon Kōsei Kyōkai), and the Osaka Welfare Association (Ōsaka-shi Kōsei Kyōkai).
• The German National Socialist leisure organization "Strength through Joy" (Kraft durch Freude or KdF) inspired the creation of the Japanese kōsei (leisure) movement which led to the establishment of the Recreation Congress for Asian Development (Kōa Kōsei Taikai), the third of which was held in Osaka and environs October 16-20, 1940 (Japanese Imperial Year 2600). Participating countries included Japan, Manchukuo, and other areas under Japanese-occupation, as well as a smattering of individuals from other countries. Invited guests from Germany and Italy received special recognition.
• Similar to the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, sporting events were used as propaganda and diplomatic tools. Images of Nazi officials and civilians performing Nazi salutes attest to the growing connection between Imperial Japan and Germany prior to Japan's entry into World War II.