Japan
Date Entered: 1953
Major Ministries: Church planting, Deaf work, English classes.
Country Profile
Population: 127,288,416
Peoples: Japanese 98.5%, Koreans 0.5%, Chinese 0.4%, other 0.6%
Politics: Constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary government
Religion: Observe both Shinto and Buddhist 84%, other 16% (including Christian 0.7%)
ABWE missionaries arrived in Japan in 1953. At that time, there was an urgency to see the “people of the sun” become “people of the Son,” Jesus Christ, the Light of the World. These missionaries were like lanterns shining forth the gospel…as lanterns in the sun. Through the years churches and other ABWE related ministries were established, as the gospel began to burn slowly across the nation. There continue to be significant needs and challenges in bringing the light of Christ to the Land of the Rising Sun. The ABWE Japan team is praying that God would raise up men and women who are willing to join the team and set ablaze more lanterns in the sun.
What do you think of when you hear the word Japan? Rice, fuel efficient cars, raw fish and seaweed, or kimonos? Japan is all of these things, but more importantly, Japan is a country of people who need to hear the gospel.
Where warrior overlords and emperors ruled the island nation in its early history, the country is still governed today by a parliament.
The country of Japan has a rich cultural heritage that was heavily influenced by China and the introduction of Buddhism around the 6th century A.D. Temples and shrines cover the country. The Japanese flock to shrines for religious holidays and festivals throughout the year.
When ABWE first entered Japan in 1953, the work centered in Kagoshima City. Sunday school, Bible classes, and preaching services, combined with tract distribution and personal evangelism contributed effectively to the gospel ministry.
The first camp was held in 1955, and has proven an effective means of reaching Japanese young people. Since six years of English are required in junior and senior high school, teaching English to Japanese students provides an open door for sharing the gospel.
A ministry to the deaf in Japan has resulted in indigenous churches, and a Bible school assists in preparing the deaf for this vital ministry. An annual camp reflects the intensity of interest these people have in the gospel.
Missionaries are needed for church-planting teams in the population centers of the Kobe-Osaka area and in southern Kyushu. Other personnel needs include workers for deaf ministries and those who would teach English as a second language. These are both valuable evangelistic bridges into the community.