Named in memory of Shigeru Kanda (1894–1974), a staff member of the Tokyo Astronomical Observatory from 1920 to 1943 and a leading source of inspiration and encouragement to amateur astronomers in Japan. He published papers on observations of minor planets, comets and variable stars, identifications of minor planets, orbits of comets, and the history of Japanese and Chinese astronomy. He wrote several popular books on astronomy and in 1926 began publication of the Kanda Circular for amateur astronomers. After leaving Tokyo Observatory he founded the Kanda Astronomical Society, which later became the Japan Astronomy Study Group. (M 6647) _ _.