In 1859, the American Episcopal Church sent two missionaries to Japan, followed some years later by representatives of the Church of England and the Church of Canada. The first Anglican Synod occurred in 1887. The first Japanese Bishops were consecrated in 1923. The Church remained underground during World War II and assumed all Church leadership after the war. Sei Ko Kai Shumbun, the Church monthly, is augmented by NSKK, published in English.