Why Japan?

Summary

The script highlights the spiritual and social struggles faced by Japan, a prosperous nation that remains one of the largest unreached people groups in the world. Despite its material wealth, Japan grapples with a deep sense of hopelessness, contributing to high suicide rates and family breakdowns. The Japanese, while hospitable and creative, suffer from a spiritual void. The script emphasizes that the only solution to Japan’s spiritual crisis is Jesus and calls for people with various gifts to come to Japan and help ignite a revival. It ends with a compelling question: 'Why Japan? Why not Japan?'

Takeaways

• 😀 Japan is one of the largest unreached people groups in the world, with a population of 127 million people.
• 😀 One-third of Japan's population lives in the Kanto Plain, with Tokyo being one of the largest urban centers globally.
• 😀 Japan contrasts between ancient traditions, such as temples and shrines, and modern, progressive development.
• 😀 Despite Japan's material wealth, it faces spiritual poverty, with only one church for every 56,000 people in large cities.
• 😀 Shintoism and Buddhism are the main religions in Japan, but many Japanese people do not truly believe in them.
• 😀 79% of Japanese people express the greatest interest in Christianity, yet very few come to Christ.
• 😀 After World War II, Japan experienced a crisis of faith, with people doubting the truth of authority and tradition, especially after the Emperor renounced his divinity.
• 😀 There is a deep sense of hopelessness in Japan, with many young people questioning their existence and a high suicide rate of 30,000 people per year.
• 😀 Japanese people are known for their intelligence, hospitality, creativity, and striving for excellence, but they also face the breakdown of family structures and a fatherless generation.
• 😀 The need for missionaries in Japan is urgent, with a call for teachers, athletes, and artists to bring the gospel to this spiritually lost nation.
• 😀 The hope is that Japan will become a key missionary-sending nation, helping to reach the rest of Asia and beyond.

Q & A

Why is Japan considered one of the largest unreached people groups in the world?

Despite being prosperous and wealthy, Japan is one of the largest unreached people groups due to a spiritual disconnect and limited exposure to Christianity. There are very few churches, and the nation's religious landscape is predominantly influenced by Shintoism and Buddhism, with a large portion of the population having little belief in their practices.

What is the significance of the Kanto Plain in Japan?

The Kanto Plain, where Tokyo is located, is home to one-third of Japan's population, making it one of the most densely populated and significant areas in the country. Tokyo itself is a major urban center, blending ancient traditions with modern progress.

How does Japan blend the ancient and modern in its culture?

Japan has a unique cultural fusion where ancient traditions, such as temples, shrines, and rituals, coexist alongside modern, progressive developments. The contrast is visible in everyday life, with traditional elements present on every street corner, while the country continues to move forward with cutting-edge technology and urbanization.

What is the state of Christianity in Japan?

Christianity is not widespread in Japan. Out of 692 large cities, 86 have only one church, and 10 cities have no churches at all. There is a significant imbalance between the spiritual needs of the population and the available Christian resources, with one missionary for every 56,000 Japanese.

Why do many Japanese express interest in Christianity but not convert?

Although 79% of Japanese express interest in Christianity, the historical and cultural context plays a role in their reluctance to convert. After World War II, Emperor Hirohito's declaration that he was not a god led to a loss of trust in authority, creating a sense of spiritual uncertainty. This existential crisis has made the Japanese more hesitant to embrace Christianity.

What is the emotional and psychological climate in Japan today?

There is a deep sense of hopelessness among many Japanese people. Issues like the high suicide rate, with an estimated 30,000 suicides annually, and the existential struggles faced by the younger generation reflect the nation's emotional distress. Many young people question their existence, and the country struggles with a fatherless generation, contributing to this sense of despair.

What did Francis Xavier say about the Japanese people?

Francis Xavier, a missionary, described the Japanese as some of the finest people he had ever met. He recognized their intelligence, creativity, hospitality, and attention to detail, which highlighted their potential for both cultural and spiritual growth.

How does the family structure in Japan contribute to societal challenges?

The breakdown of the family structure is a significant issue in Japan, with fathers working long hours, leaving little time to engage with their children. This has resulted in a generation growing up without strong father figures, leading to a lack of maturity and a loss of identity among many young people.

What is the hope being presented for Japan in terms of its spiritual future?

The hope for Japan lies in the belief that Jesus is the ultimate answer to the nation's struggles. Despite the challenges, there is a belief that Japan is on the cusp of revival and could become one of the greatest missionary-sending nations in the world, reaching not only Japan but also other parts of Asia.

Why is Japan seen as critical in reaching other parts of Asia and the Muslim world?

Japan's potential as a missionary-sending nation is critical because it holds a strategic position in Asia. By embracing the gospel, Japan could play a pivotal role in reaching other Asian countries and Muslim nations, offering hope and spiritual renewal on a global scale.