GL of Japan Suspends Recognition of Prince Hall GL of Oklahoma

by Christopher Hodapp

The Grand Lodge of Japan F&AM has just suspended recognition with the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge F&AM of Oklahoma for conducting Masonic activities within its sovereign territory without permission. 

Japan's Grand Master Jeremy Entwistle issued the following notice earlier today:

Notice of Suspension of Recognition of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Oklahoma

Dear Brothers,

One of the principle [sic] foundations for the establishment of fraternal relations between Grand Lodges is the recognition and respect of each Grand Lodge's sovereignty over its territorial jurisdiction. That includes not issuing charters establishing lodges or otherwise carrying out masonic activities within each other's sovereign territory unless specifically allowed by authorization, agreement or treaty between the two Grand Lodges.

Unfortunately, the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Oklahoma has been conducting masonic activities within the sovereign territory of Japan without such authorization from our Grand Lodge.

Therefore, and with immediate effect, acting upon a decision by the Executive Committee of the Grand Lodge of Japan, I hereby suspend recognition of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Oklahoma until further notice. If the situation is resolved I will issue further guidance at that time.

Sincerely and fraternally yours,

Jeremy C. R. Entwisle

Grand Master

From what I have been able to find, the MWPHGL of Oklahoma established Cypress Military Lodge 206 in 2009 at Yokota Air Base in Fussa, Tokyo. They also chartered New Beginnings Military Lodge 199 at Yokosuka. I'm unsure when the GL of Japan and the MWPHGL of Oklahoma established mutual recognition, but these particular military lodges have been no secret to anyone. But something happened to raise the hackles of Japan recently, setting this action in motion.

Such, I'm afraid, are among the many obstacles when trying to operate military lodges in foreign nations, especially in the modern communication era. Between accusations of Masonic territorial invasion and the delicate diplomatic dance required for any private clubs meeting on military bases, to say nothing of the strictures of military protocol (lodges can't have 'officers,' they have 'staff'), the potential for problems are numerous. Which is why very few grand lodges anywhere attempt to charter them in the first place anymore.

Hopefully, they will work out their issues quickly.

Message From Tokyo

Some communication is coming from Freemasons in Japan. A message has been forwarded from the Scottish Rite in Tokyo:

Dear Scottish Rite Brethren:

You will be happy to know that the beautiful Tokyo Masonic Center came throught the Tohokku-Kanto Megathrust Earthquake with only two extremely minor inconveniences. 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　
Two of our filing cabinets tipped over and their drawers flew open. Our office secretary had the files back in place after most of the major shaking stopped. In the picture you can see the mess and Ill. Ambrose; Mr. Nagai (TMA) Asako-san (Mori Trust Maintainence) and Ill. Patterson. Thanks to Ill. Phil for helping put the cabinets back against the wall.

The other was our Soverign Grand Commander Seale's portrait which fell off the wall of the Deputy's office and spread broken glass over the carpet. The portrait awaits only new glass and a stronger hook.

The other good news is that the messages from Ill. Cripe and the Scottish Rite office reached all the brethren. No one showed up for the Advisory Conference.

Unfortunately, those of us working at the Masonic Center stayed all night in our offices. Luckily the heat came on about midnight and office chairs provided a little comfort during the night. There were a lot of people walking around the area and cars hardly moved at all. Phones were out most of the night, but the Internet and Skype worked!

The following lodges meet in the Tokyo Masonic Center: Tokyo Masonic Lodge No. 2; Tokyo Yuai Lodge No. 11; and DeMolay-Land Lodge No. 22.

According to the List of Lodges Masonic, there are 14 lodges under the Grand Lodge of Japan, with approximately 1,819 members. Undoubtedly there are brethren who have been caught in the multiple disasters there this week, but the list does not show active lodges in the cities that bore the brunt of the tsunami.