Japan 1
February 19th

“For I know the plans I have for Japan, plans to give them  hope and a future!”
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV)

》 Country Profile

Continent | East Asia
Population | 124 million
Area | 377,915㎢ Consists of four large islands and about 3,000 small islands located in the northwestern Pacific Ocean.
Capital City | Tokyo (37 million people)
People Groups | Total 38 Groups Indigenous peoples 97.9% (Japanese 95.6%, Ryukyuan 0.9%, Ainu 0.01%), Korean 0.4%, Chinese 0.6%
People Groups Unreached | 26 (97.9% of the population)
Official Language(s) | Japanese
Total Languages | 33
Bible Translations | Completed 20, New Testament 1, Partial 2
Religion | Christianity 2.2% (Protestant 0.7%, Catholic 1.1%), Buddhism 68.1%, Ethnic religion 24%, Non- religious 5.5% , Evangelical 0.6% 710,000 people

》 About Japan

In 1868, Japan underwent the Meiji Restoration, which ended military rule and established a centralized government headed by the emperor. The empire then adopted modern capitalism and, in 1889, enacted the Constitution of the Empire of Japan, becoming a constitutional state. After victories in the First Sino-Japanese War (1894–1895) and the Russo-Japanese War (1904–1905), Japan expanded its empire by seizing Taiwan and southern Sakhalin, showing its imperialist ambitions and invading weaker countries. It colonized Korea in 1910, occupied Manchuria in 1931, and initiated wars in Shanghai in 1932 and against China in 1937. In 1940, Japan allied with Germany and Italy, entering World War II against the Allies. Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941 triggered the Pacific War, during which Japan occupied much of Southeast Asia and key Pacific islands. However, the empire surrendered to the Allies on August 15, 1945, after U.S. atomic bombings.
After World War II, Japan, under U.S. occupation, faced significant changes. In 1947, it adopted a new constitution, making the Emperor a symbolic figure and establishing a parliamentary system with separation of powers. In 2011, Japan experienced its most powerful earthquake and tsunami, devastating northeastern Honshu and causing thousands of deaths, along with severe damage to nuclear power plants.
Shinzo Abe, Japan’s longest-serving prime minister, held office from 2012 until his resignation in 2020 and was  assassinated in 2022. The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) has been Japan’s dominant political force, except for a brief period from 2009 to 2012. Emperor Naruhito has been the ceremonial head of state since 2019, and Fumio Kishida has served as prime minister since 2021.

Japan’s economy grew rapidly by increasing exports, industrial rationalization, and technological innovation. However, after the asset bubble burst in the late 1980s, the economy slowed, facing stagnation. Japan, which lacks natural resources, has long relied on imports for energy and raw materials. Economic challenges like low birth rates, an aging population, and a public debt equivalent to 235% of GDP pose long-term threats. Additionally, rising crime, suicide, teenage prostitution, high divorce rates, and growing social instability are causes of concern. The COVID-19 pandemic has further weakened economic activity and tourism. Japan’s GDP per capita is approximately $41,400

》 Scripture Focus

》 Prayer Points

1. Japan, despite being one of the freest countries in the world for gospel preaching, remains the largest unreached nation. The concept of a Creator God and a biblical worldview is unfamiliar and even contradictory to the beliefs of most Japanese people. Although Christianity has been in Japan for over 500 years (Catholicism) and 160 years (Protestantism), it has struggled to take root due to strong obstacles such as  idol worship in temples and ancestral worship in homes. Additionally, Japan’s unique Confucian-based culture, which emphasizes not causing harm to others, combined with modern individualism, has led to a more hostile reaction toward the gospel.
Let us pray for those in Japan who, due to these traditional practices and customs, are unable to seek or encounter the living God. May the Lord, who knows the unquenchable thirst in their souls, lead them to the true life found in Jesus Christ through the gospel.

2. Although Christians make up only 2.2% of Japan’s population, let us give thanks that they      have had the opportunity to encounter the Christian faith. The conversion rate to Christianity is slightly higher than the reversion rate to other religions, showing a modest increase. However, even after baptism, nearly half of the converts leave the church within 2-3 years. Around 70% of churches in Japan have fewer than 30 attendees on average, and less than half of their members regularly attend services.
Even in a context where hundreds of denominations prevent unity, there is slow cooperation between united churches and the Japan Evangelical Association (JEA). Though Japan has risen from the ashes of war to become a prosperous nation, it faces trials in all areas, including politics, economics, society, morality, and the church. Let us pray that the Japanese church believes in God’s plan of peace, hope, and a future for Japan, and stands united to work toward the nation’s salvation and peace.

3. Many overseas missionaries from various mission organizations are actively serving in Japan. They collaborate with local churches in evangelism, Bible studies, training, church planting, and service. Some missionaries are engaged in  specialized ministries, like teaching English, as a means of outreach. Though cooperation among mission organizations is challenging, the Japan Evangelical Association (JEA) plays a crucial role in coordinating efforts among 46 mission groups.
The Japanese church generally lacks a strong vision for missions. However, more than 20 mission organizations under the Japan Overseas Missionary Association (JOMA) are sending hundreds of Japanese missionaries to other  countries. In addition , over a million Japanese immigrants live abroad  in countries like the U.S., Brazil, and China. Some of these individuals receive  Jesus and return to Japan as vessels for spreading the gospel within local churches. Let us pray that Japanese people living abroad will come to salvation and that they will rise as missionaries to the nations.

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