Chefoo Nanae Today

The former OMF Chefoo Nanae school was closed in 1998, and the property is presently owned by “Chefoo Gakuen,” a non-profit organization formed by Japanese pastors to provide a “free school” for Japanese children who have dropped out of the Japanese school system. The leaders of the school are cooperating with the committee to make it possible for former Chefusians to visit the school.

Over 50 years have elapsed since the school was built, and some of us remember the day of dedication of the foundation in April 1964, in the pouring rain. Most of the grounds have been sold to other entities, such as a “Group Home” for the elderly, so the expansive field where we used to play is no longer there, and the grape vines, apple orchards were cut down some years ago. However, the building and the entrance driveway are there, and the building is still in usable condition. However, due to stricter fire codes, the basement area where we used to roller-skate and play basketball has been blocked off, but there are still many aspects of the building, the classrooms, the bedrooms, the dining room and kitchen, living room area that is all there as always. However, the current owners have said, that there is no guarantee that the building will remain for many more years, as it is very old, and though we would like to hope that it will be around for many more years, the window of opportunity to see Chefoo Nanae again is narrowing.