In Depth:  Japan

letter from Japan

John Newton Webb

I am thrilled that Hokkaido Bible Institute (HBI, where I serve on the board) is pushing ahead with plans for a course to train lay preachers.

With some significant exceptions, the Japanese church is generally cautious about non-Bible College graduates preaching, teaching and providing a church with spiritual leadership. The reasons for this are complex, but include being in a cultural context which places a high value on formal qualifications, and a right concern for faithful teaching. However, with a critical shortage of full-time Christian workers and many churches lacking anyone to lead or teach, the church is actively seeking solutions.

letter from Japan

John Newton Webb

Recent survey results from the Japanese Government, combined with an estimate of the Japanese population who are Bible believing Christians suggests that the number has fallen from around 500,000 in 2019 to less than 350,000 in 2024 or from 0.4% to 0.28% of the population. Amongst university students, just 0.01% (one in 10,000) are thought to be Christians.

What does this mean for the future of the gospel in Japan? Research predicts that if present trends continue, half of Japan’s Protestant churches will close by 2030. Some of these are churches which have drifted from the Bible, others have not been evangelising; still others have been damaged by splits. But many of them are faithful, prayerful, gospel-preaching churches, who are simply not seeing people converted. Though numbers of missionaries coming to Japan are going up, there is a dire shortage of Japanese full-time gospel workers. Pastors are retiring or dying with no-one coming to replace them. Some Bible Colleges have closed recently due to a shortage of students.

letter from Japan

John Newton Webb

In the city where we minister, every area has a Community Business Association. Despite not being a business, our church was invited to join our local association; we’re the only church in the city to be a member of one.

This has given us many opportunities to meet people, to publicise the church in local shops, and also to participate in local community events.

letter from Japan

John Newton Webb

The Japanese government have voted to strip the legal status of the Unification Church (also known as the Moonies) following investigations into members being pressured into giving large sums of money.

They can still operate, but lose all the privileges of religious registration (tax-free status, etc.). Some are welcoming this as a curb on coercive activities by the cults, but some Christian leaders are concerned about future implications for religious freedom.

letter from Japan

John Newton Webb

Last month, I spent an hour watching a body being prepared for its coffin. It was our oldest church member, Mrs S., who had died suddenly the previous week.

Her body was discreetly washed, her face made up, her hair styled and her favourite clothes put on. Her daughter told me she was glad to have someone who had known her mother there with her to watch and help.

letter from Japan

John Newton Webb

Last week, Mr. A asked me, ‘Does Jesus really love me? The voices in my head tell me that he doesn’t.’

He first got in touch with our church a couple of years ago, asking ‘Does the church help suffering people?’ He has schizophrenia and for most of his life has been hearing voices, sometimes telling him to commit murder, sometimes that he is useless, sometimes that there is no hope for him. Readers familiar with mental health issues will know that these voices often feel authoritative and compelling to the sufferer. The medicine he is on wasn’t helping him much and he got in touch with the church because he had been wondering if he is demon-possessed.

letter from Japan

‘You will hear of wars and rumours of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed … There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains’ (Matt. 24:6-8).

With the war in Ukraine well into its second year, severe droughts in Ethiopia and extreme weather, this verse is a prescient exhortation. This verse came to mind whilst my mother was visiting us in Japan from the UK.

letter from Japan

If you look on Google there are over 22 million hits for Japanese queueing etiquette.

‘Japanese people are well-mannered, and they respect the rules, that is known throughout the world.’

letter from Japan

‘The nail that sticks out gets hammered down’ is a well-known Japanese proverb. The meaning behind this proverb comes from a strong cultural emphasis on conformity.

Japanese culture is heavily influenced by both Confucianism and Buddhism; within both of these ideologies there is a focus on group harmony over individual well-being.

letter from Japan

If you have ever read the Chronicles of Narnia you may remember reading the words ‘Aslan is on the move’.

As you did so, perhaps a chill went down your spine as the prospect of the coming victory over evil becomes a palpable reality. Well, as I write, a chill goes down my spine as it would seem that the Lord is on the move here in Japan.

Nicola Laver

Since even before famous Scottish gold medallist Eric Liddell’s Christian testimony was immortalised in the film Chariots of Fire, torchbearers for Christ have publicly declared their faith.

The Tokyo Olympic Games are no different, with Olympians from around the world unafraid to attribute their success to the Lord. South African swimmer Tatjana Schoenmaker praised God after her gold-medal-winning swim in the 200m breaststroke. Before competing, Tatjana from Pretoria tweeted a prayer: ‘Let the Games begin. Father God may your will be done, may your peace fill us up, may we praise you no matter what the outcome, may we be empowered by your strength to give it our all and may we forever be in the awe of your goodness!’.

Seven modern-day spiritual Samurai warriors have gathered near Tokyo station to begin their ministry training.

It marked the relaunch of a major training initiative, known as the Samurai Projects, which seeks to raise up the next generation of Bible-teaching servant leaders for the land of the rising sun.