SAPPORO, APOSTOLIC VICARIATE of. — Situated on the large island of Hokkaidō in northern Japan, it comprises the whole island, with an area of 78,461 sq. km. and 4,185,506 inhabitants.
On 12 February 1915, the territory of Hokkaidō (except for the civil district of Oshima and the chief city of Hakodate), together with the Kuril Islands and the southern part of Sakalin, was detached from the diocese of Sendai (then Hakodate), erected as an apostolic prefecture, and on 30 March 1929 as the apostolic vicariate of S. Subsequently, on 1 July 1935, the southern part of Sakalin was detached from it and erected as a mission sui iuris, which was elevated Karafuto (v.) on 21 May 1938. By decree of Propaganda Fide dated 19 June 1952, the aforementioned district of Oshima, together with the city of Hakodate, was detached from the diocese of Sendai and annexed to the vicariate of S. In 1909, the German Franciscan Minors of the Province of St. Elizabeth undertook the evangelization of Hokkaidō and continued to administer the mission of S. until it was transferred to the Japanese secular clergy on 21 November 1940, with the appointment of an apostolic administrator. The vast region of Hokkaidō (one-fifth of all Japan) is no longer a semi-desert as it once was, but the most important coal-mining industry in Japan has developed there.
After losing the war, the Japanese, driven back from Asia, resolved to populate and develop that region, so rich in natural resources.
The apostolic vicariate of S. has 5,506 Catholics and 879 catechumens. There are 28 priests, of whom 10 are nationals and 18 foreigners; 16 brothers; 87 sisters, 3 major and 6 minor seminarians; 4 catechists; 30 male and 80 female teachers; 2 physicians and 10 nurses. Works of assistance and education: one hospital; one pharmacy; 2 secondary schools; 2 vocational schools; 1 teacher-training school. The mission has 3 deaneries; 20 primary and 14 secondary stations, with 6 churches and 17 chapels.