Japan: A Consideration

Christianity, to be effective in Japan, must change.
– Shusaku Endo

There are not many quotes around from Shusaku Endo, but the above quote got me thinking about the mission in Japan, which is one of the most unreached nations in the world, indeed within the 10-40 Window. After nearly 500 years of missionary history since Francis Xavier’ arrival in 1549, the Gospel has made little headway into this prosperous and varied nation. Despite initial converts of about half a million up to 1642’s closure of Japan to all outsiders, the land has remained remarkably “Gospel-free”. This brings me to Endo’s evaluation of a nation and Christianity’s choices in it. Most of the ideas have little basis in hard fact but more in overall impressions and ideas that I have been mulling over.

Unlike myself, Endo is Japanese and has first hand experience of the country and its people at home. For this reason, his opinions cannot be merely written off and as someone being needlessly dark and pessimistic in order to sell a bit more copy. Also, knowing that the man was definitely and brutally honest, there is no reason to suspect that this quote is not an honest evaluation from Endo as he saw things at that time. And there may be some reason for him to have such a downer on Christianity in Japan and little hope for it succeeding without some radical change.

Current estimates put the numbers of evangelical, Bible-believing Christians at about 1.5% of the total population. While some sources have described this as “dismally small”, I tend to see the glass as half-full. Take a quick look at the numbers of Christians in Muslim dominated countries, and you get a view of what “dismally small” numbers can look like. However, I digress. Despite a promising start in the first century, the closure of Japan and subsequent persecution of Japanese Christians during the Edo Period decimated the church. While this would have had some effect on numbers, my own impressions from Japanese people would also add to this other reasons for the overall struggle of Christianity in Japan.

While many Japanese will often say that they “have no religion”, they would have to be one of the most spiritual people I have met. I have seen this worked out in the temples and shrines around Japan, where people will think nothing of tossing a 5 yen piece into a shrine and praying a quick prayer while ringing a bell. There is not systematic, life-changing adherence to any one religious system, but Japanese are very much alive to the spiritual side of life. They find great beauty in the many Zen gardens that are around the country, as well as nature itself, with many connections to their native Shinto religion. Many of the aspects of these faiths have remained with the Japanese, despite the fact that they are not practicing in the usual sense of the word. In this aspect, to present the Gospel to Japanese people, one faces many of the same obstacles that would be present to any other adherent of a religion, such as Islam. Even nominal believers can be difficult to gain a hearing with, and the Japanese are no different. Despite their claims that they are without religion, they are at least nominally religious.

Japanese reluctance to take on religious practices that might be seen as “foreign” may also have its ground in the Japanese concept of “giri”. This roughly translates to the English word “duty”, but is much more detailed and complex than the English word suggests. Giri can be to one’s nation, to ones local Lord, (daimyo), to family, to companies, and so on. It is expressed in many ways, such as simple New Year’s cards to managers and coworkers. Giri with respect to one’s family is considered very important, at least subconsciously, even in families whose members would not be considered all that close. If the family remains non-Christian, then the funerals and such other rites of passage pose definite issues for the Christian family members. If a family has a number of Christians in it, then this is not really a problem, but more than likely, a Christian will be alone in their family. This conflict between giri and the demands of Jesus Christ can present significant issues.

The historical aspects of a so-called “god” leading Japan into the most devastating period of their history has also left significant wariness with religion in general, and this has been something that I have had to overcome myself in my own dealings with some of my own friends. It also doesn’t help that one of the atomic bombs was dropped on a city that held one of the largest Japanese Christian communities at the time, (Nagasaki). For the average Japanese, I can see little benefit that religion in general has brought them. However, as being a follower of Christ is a relationship, there is some difference with this soured history.

I have also read that 30% more Japanese become Christians outside Japan and that about 80% of them backslide once they return to Japan. For this reason, if this is true, and my sources seem reliable, then Endo is correct in what he said about the Church and that may be extended to how the church as a whole does it. Japanese people are well aware of the spiritual elements of life, and they seem to need little convincing of its reality. It is in drawing them to the cross that the challenge emerges.

I think the idea that each person should win one is a step in the right direction. The idea of sending foreigners to the land is starting to fall out of date and working within and with national leaderships is a more positive approach, I think. Churches have started to do it and it seems that it works as a method. National leaders can achieve much more and be more effective backed by the same resources that would see a foreigner achieve limited results. Those who are Christian could focus on Japanese people outside Japan and make contacts there. That is not a difficult thing, considering the long and rich history of travel that the Japanese have. With an openess and friendliness that is part of the Japanese character, friendship is quite easy and relaxed. Moving them along to the Cross of Christ is possible, given patience and time.

It is the 80% that backslide on return to Japan that should worry the church more, especially the church in Japan. I am not sure why this figure is so high, but groups like the Japanese Christian Fellowship have gone a long way to reduce it. Japanese Christians need support, and thanks to the Internet, we can even supply some of it from outside Japan. This support means being available for discipling, which new Christians always need, especially with no prior exposure to Jesus Christ, and also tonnes of prayer. However, nothing can replace being integrated into the Body of Christ in some way. How that Body chooses to express itself, is something that needs further thought. These are choices that Japanese Christians should be made as part of the Body of Christ in Japan.

In the end, the primary need for the Church in Japan is the prayers and support of the wider Christian community as a global community of brothers and sisters in Christ. In this post, I have been largely thinking on my feet. I would welcome any comment from those involved in the mission to Japan or with some experience in it. Discussion is a healthy way to promote some new ideas and also awareness in this issue and its wider impact on missions in general.

In Christ,
P’Mee