Japan overlooked

According to the Joshua Project…
“JAPANESE ARE THE SECOND LARGEST UNREACHED PEOPLE GROUP IN THE WORLD”

Japan is often overlooked as a country that is has little to no exposure to the gospel because it is a rich nation with a high standard of living. The high cost associated with living in Japan actually contribute to what keeps Japan as one of the most unreached countries in the 10/40 Window having a Christian population of less than one percent. Many missionaries from America to Asia fly right over Japan completely unaware of its lack of exposure to the gospel. That was my story, my heart was to be a missionary in China before I was told and challenged with the needs of Japan… I had never even conceived of missions there before then.

Japan is one of the safest countries in the world to live but it is also one of the most spiritually dark. The following are just a few facts.

• There are about 7,800 protestant churches in Japan and the average church size is 35 people… that is one church for every 16,000 people.

• Nearly 80% of Japanese pastors are in their 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s with there not being many Japanese Christian men to replace them. In 15 years many Japanese churches will have no pastor

• Japan has one of the highest suicide rates in the world. More than 30,000 people have committed suicide each year for the past 13 years (about a 100 people a day or one every 15 minutes)

• Japan has 183,000 known cult groups registered with the government and is known by some as the cult capital of the world

• Abortion is the most common form of birth control

• Japan is the #1 provider of child pornography

Due to Shinto & Buddhist world views Japan has over 8 million gods and almost every house has a little alter where food is offered, incense burnt, and prayers offered to false gods. Japan quite possible could have the highest concentration of demonic activity in the world in light of what the Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 10:20, “what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not God.”

Japan is a very hard place to do ministry and help is needed to plow the soil. Having the world’s 3rd largest economy, significant political influence, and a resourceful and diligent population, Japan has tremendous potential to reach countries American missionaries have no access to in the 10/40 window… should the Lord work in Japan as he has in other nations such as South Korea.

The Lord is doing a work in the younger generation of Japanese. A 2001 gallop poll on Japanese teens revealed that 85% wondered why they exist but only 13% believe they exist for a reason. 11% wish they never existed and some tragically contribute to the 100 people per day who commit suicide in Japan. Jesus tells us “the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few,” This is especially true in Japan.

Part Of The 10/40 Window