The Association of Baptists for World Evangelism (ABWE), considers Japan to be a contextual, “graveyard for missions” (https://abwe.org/blog/why-japan-graveyard-missions/). So why is it that Japan has the reputation of being, “hard to reach” in the Christian world? Today, I’ll give you my take, as a missionary to Japan.
Do you want to know what the biggest challenge for missionaries sent to Japan is? In my opinion, it’s something you can’t learn in a classroom; it’s the Japanese nuance and culture. Japanese culture certainly is vastly different from Western culture on even the most basic of levels. I jokingly say that whatever you think is the right social norm in your country, just do the opposite in Japan- then you will be correct here! It’s like a different planet when compared to the Western world! That’s why the time of preparation to minister to Japan should not be brief; it can take a long time and it needs to be thorough. Unlike learning the Japanese language (which is direct and straightforward), learning the nuance and ideology of the Japanese is not so simple. It is truly an art to understand and may even take a lifetime to fully comprehend. It is crucial to master this at the same time as learning the Japanese language, in order not to offend the Japanese unawares when on the mission field. I’ve found that being able to bridge the culture and communication gap to be the single most, greatest advantage for missionaries coming to Japan.
Apart from understanding the way of life, the people and the language, there are other social barriers that need to be overcome by missionaries. Namely, the overall rejection of Western influence and ideology as an adopted mindset, which truly does add a layer of complexity for missionaries to Japan. Christians are rejected in Japan, and Christian thought is feared, seen as dangerous and “not as the Japanese way.” That standalone fact, coupled with Japan’s long history of isolationism (a political philosophy and national foreign policy that advocates for a country to stay out of the affairs of other nations) makes reaching people for Christ quite challenging at times. The Japanese have a strong sense of pride and are at the same time, conflict avoidant. That’s why, when they have been raised Buddhist or Shinto their whole life, forsaking that, in lieu of a “Western religion” is not something they want to or even are able to give up so easily. It is extremely complex from the outside looking in. The general pressure to meet societal and familial expectations in Japan is tied to concepts like giri (duty/obligation), oyako no kankei (parent-child responsibility), and living up to sekentei (public reputation). To be a professing Christian here, where it is not seen as the, “normal Japanese way” could furthermore ruin someone’s public image and their relationship with their friends or family. The Japanese are pondering all of these things and this pressure oftentimes overshadows their decision to follow Christ. They have to truly forsake their position in society to receive Christ in Japan and there are extreme costs that need to be counted and considered for the Japanese.
Furthermore, the false religions of Buddhism, Shintoism and other forms of mysticism (fortune telling) are as prevalent in Japan as churches are on the street corners of America. This overarching presence of spiritual depravity, combined with the lack of Christian churches and influence contributes to the fact that missionaries are often starting from, “square one” when sharing the gospel of Jesus in Japan.
While I don’t consider any mission field to be particularly “easy,” I can imagine that these are some of the factors that the The Association of Baptists for World Evangelism (ABWE) were taking into account when they determined Japan to be a, “graveyard” for missions. But is that truly what God says?
-Matthew 9:37-38 NIV-
“Then he (Jesus) said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
According to the Scriptures, the problem is not in the soil of the land itself, but rather, in the lack of resources and workers sent to minister on the field. The Bible says in James 3:18, “Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.” That is God’s promise! Let’s not too soon forget that the God of the Harvest is governing over all of the world; Japan included. According to the World of God, it would appear that Japan is NOT too far gone (nothing is too hard for God, Jeremiah 32:27)
We as God’s people, need to focus on our God, His power and His promises. Rather than blaming the Japanese way of thinking, we should be focusing on what we can do to be a testimony for Christ! At the end of the day, it is only by God’s power that people can be saved; it is not of our doing. Keeping all of this in mind, trusting God, praying to God and looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), seeking His face at all times to touch the hearts of the Japanese and to open their eyes, is the most powerful thing we can do. Therefore, take heart! Because truly, all of these barriers are as nothing when compared to the power of God. The promises are all there. And I have some tangible facts and good news to further counter the claim that Japan is a “graveyard for missions”:
- Since I have been on the field in Japan, the percentage of Christians in Japan has risen from 1% to 2%!!!! It has raised a whole percentage in just 4 years! This is the incredible growth that God is doing here!
- I know of 2 new missionaries actively preparing to be sent to Japan soon and you would be surprised at how many missionaries I have met over the years with a heart for Japan! More missionaries are responding to the call! We are seeing it here in real-time!
One final piece of advice I’ve found to be true and that I live my life by is that: an effectively missionary should strive to encompass the words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (KJV):
19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
23 And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
-Romans 1:16 KJV-
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
Therefore, brothers and sisters of the faith, I declare that Japan is NOT a graveyard for missions! In exchange for believing that lie that is not from God, let’s choose to believe in faith that God IS the God of the Harvest and that He WILL continue to rule and reign over Japan and draw hearts to Himself even here too!!! We believe!
-John 11:40 NIV-
“Then Jesus said, ‘Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?‘”
We believe Jesus!!!
Dear ones, thank you so much for reading! I have an activation for you today!!!
Please pray for Japan and support the work God is doing in Japan so that together we can reach more souls for Christ here. You can support this ministry financially using this link here: https://liftedvision.org/donate/
To God Alone Be All the Glory, Forever and Ever, AMEN!
Blessings!
Lifted Vision Ministry 