Out of 122.6 million, 1.9 million people in Japan claim to be Christians. As we consider the Church today, we can gain insight by looking back in history to see how and when the gospel was first brought to the Japanese. So, how did Japan get to this point?
How Was the Gospel Brought to Japan?
In 1549, the first Christian missionaries came to Japan, led by Jesuit missionary Francis Xavier. During this time, Japan became open to other countries due to trading, inevitably leading to religion coming through its borders as well. Initially, Christianity prospered where missionaries landed, like the port city Nagasaki, and spread to other cities throughout the country.
During the 200-year period of the ban on Christianity, Japan went from 500,000 to 20,000 Christians.
However, Japanese rulers became suspicious of the growing rise of religion, which led to the government ordering that missionaries must leave the country. In 1614, Japan officially banned Christianity—enforced with the consequence of death. About 50 years after the gospel landed in Japan, 20 Christians and six foreign missionaries were executed publicly on crosses at Martyr’s Hill in Nagasaki.
In order to test whether someone was loyal to Christianity or the government, authorities would have each villager step on an image of Jesus, called a fumie, to reject faithfulness to him. Those who refused to step on the fumi-e were brutally tortured and often killed.
What Does the Church Look Like Today?
After Japan officially banned Christianity, there was a 200 year period of isolation from the rest of the world. Remaining Japanese Christians were named “Kakure Kirishitan” or “Hidden Christians,” as they practiced their faith in private and met in secret.
Many Japanese struggle with loneliness. Pray that they may know the friend and comforter that is in Christ Jesus.
In 1873, Christianity was legalized by the Japanese government, and the country reopened its borders to the outside world. In response, Christian missionaries arrived once again, and “Hidden Christians” came out of hiding. However, during the period of the ban of Christianity, Japan went from 500,000 to 20,000 Christians.
Yet, about 150 years later, Christianity still accounts for only about 2% of Japan’s population. Currently, there are over 1,000 missionaries serving in Japan, and about 7,000 Protestant churches throughout the country.
The majority of Japanese practice both Buddhism and Shintoism. Buddhism is a religion and philosophy attributed to the teachings of Buddha. It focuses on the concept of suffering and its causes, and it does not worship a god or deity. Shintoism is the devotion to “kami,” which are spirits or forces connected with the natural world. Followers of Shintoism pay respect and ask for help and good favor at shrines for the various kamis.
How Can You Pray for the Church in Japan?
With such little gospel and church presence, pray for the Word of God to be known and spread throughout Japan. Pray for missionaries to be equipped and sent, disciples to be made, and for churches to be planted.
As many Japanese struggle with loneliness today due to the urbanized, disconnected lifestyle, pray that they may know the Friend and Comforter that is in Christ Jesus. Pray for Japanese Christians to find community and encouragement among the family of Christ. Also, pray that Japanese believers would build friendships with non-believers and for gospel conversations to occur. In a country with little and slow growth, pray for the endurance and faithfulness of Japanese believers as they work to see the name of Christ known throughout their country.
Selah Lipsey is a Content Writer at Radical. She is a graduate of Samford University where she studied Journalism and Spanish. She is a member of Redeemer Community Church. She is married to Jeremy.
