Yoshihiko Kikuchi

Quick Facts: Who was Yoshihiko Kikuchi?

Subject:

Yoshihiko Kikuchi

Known for:

Pioneering Japanese leader and General Authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Born:

1941-07-25

Century / Era:

1941s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Yoshihiko Kikuchi (菊地良彦, Kikuchi Yoshihiko; born 25 July 1941 in Japan) has been a general authority of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) since 1977, and was the first native Asian to be called to that role. Kikuchi was born on the island of Hokkaido. His father served in the military during the Second World War and was killed by an American torpedo while at sea. Kikuchi was baptized a member of the LDS Church when he was taught as a teenager by church missionaries from America in the 1950s. As a young man, Kikuchi served as a full-time missionary in the Northern Far East Mission for two and a half years, and a labor missionary for an additional year.

Career & Major Achievements

He graduated in 1968 from Tokyo Asia University with a degree in Business Psychology and Management. After completing his education, he worked as a regional manager for Rena-Ware Distributors Company for the entire Japan area and eventually operated his own import export company. During this time, Kikuchi was also continuing to serve in the LDS Church, including as president of one of the church's branches in Tokyo. When the Tokyo Stake, the first formed in Asia was organized, Kikuchi was called as first counselor in the stake presidency. He was later called as president of the Tokyo Stake.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In 1977, Kikuchi was called into full-time church service as a general authority. He became a seventy and member of the First Quorum of the Seventy at the church's October 1977 general conference. As a general authority, Kikuchi served as an assistant executive director in the temple department, as president of the Asia North Area, and as a counselor in the presidencies of the North America Northeast, North America Northwest, North America Central, North America East, Utah North area, as well as executive administrator in the Asia North Area. From 1987 to 1989, Kikuchi served as president of the church's Hawaii Honolulu Mission. In 1987, Kikuchi was a keynote speaker at the first major African-American family history conference sponsored by the LDS Church.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1941 (1941-07-25): Birth of Yoshihiko Kikuchi — Pioneering Japanese leader and General Authority of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
2. 1968: 1968 Milestone — He graduated in 1968 from Tokyo Asia University with a degree in Business Psychology and Management.
3. 1977: 1977 Milestone — In 1977, Kikuchi was called into full-time church service as a general authority.
4. 1987: 1987 Milestone — From 1987 to 1989, Kikuchi served as president of the church's Hawaii Honolulu Mission.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Yoshihiko Kikuchi

True or False: “Yoshihiko Kikuchi was the first Asian to be called a General Authority in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While he was the first native Asian to hold that role, the statement implies it was an absolute historical first without context.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Yoshihiko Kikuchi