Alpha Japan
The Alpha site in Japanese. The general, introductory video is in English. The rest of the site is in Japanese script.
Keywords: Alpha course, Japan, Japanese
Asian American Christian Fellowship. (AACF)
Abstract: The AACF is an association of campus groups in California and Washington founded and sponsored by the Japanese Evangelical Missionary Society (JEMS) that "strives to reach into the college campus with the powerful life changing message of Jesus Christ....AACF desires to serve Jesus Christ on these campuses to reach the 95% of Asian Americans who do not know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, as this is the last major opportunity to share Jesus as students congregate on college and university campuses and ponder major decisions for their future." See the website to connect with specific campuses in California and Washington.
Keywords: AACF, Japanese, California, Washington
God's Fingerprints in Japan I and II. Aloha Ke Akua Ministries, Video. Producer: Rev. Daniel Kikawa BS, PhM. English, Japanese, English with Japanese subtitles, Japanese with English subtitles. Watch Part I online in English. Watch Part I and II online in English with Japanese subtitles
Abstract: "The main purpose of God’s Fingerprints in Japan is to let people of Japanese ancestry everywhere know that God loves them. Christianity has been in Japan for at least 450 years, yet, only 1.6% of the Japanese people claim to be Christian. Among Japanese Americans, only 3% have accepted Christ. Many of those who claim to be Christians feel they have accepted a foreign God and are torn between being Japanese and being a Christian. They see the God of the Bible as a foreign God who prefers Western people and their culture to Japanese people and their culture. In our experience, this is the largest roadblock to the acceptance of the Gospel among Japanese. This video suggests to the Japanese people that the Creator God is not a foreign God but a Japanese God, and that being a believer in Jesus and being Japanese are not contradictory." Part II addresses the cultural barriers that face Japanese today in deciding to follow Christ.
Keywords: Japan, Japanese culture, natural revelation, barriers
Japanese Christian Fellowship Network (JCFN). [Click here]
Abstract: JCFN is an evangelical Christian network which seeks to conduct and promote the follow up of primarily Japanese Christians and seekers of God, who move from Japan to a foreign country and back again and who have requested an introduction to a fellowship or church. We also encourage the evangelism and discipling of Japanese people while they are living abroad and assist organizations and individuals who share the same burden as JCFN.
Keywords: Japan, network, reentry
Returnee-friendly churches in Japan. A list of churches in Japan that are recommended for returnees. You must have the ACMI password to access this list. Click here to go to the access page.
Reaching Japanese for Christ. [Click here]
Abstract: The Reaching Japanese for Christ (RJC) Network is a place for you to create synergies with other Christian believers who share a love for and interest in Japanese people, particularly those who come to North America on a temporary basis. The RJC holds frequent conferences for those working with Japanese. The RJC Academy is designed to train those who are just beginning their connections with Japanese. English and Japanese.
Keywords: Japan, Japanese, training
Shame Culture in Japan. Compiled 5/10/2018
Abstract: The following are various blogs and essays about the importance of avoiding shame (haji) in Japan.
1. French, Howard W. New York Times. "Depression Simmers in Japan's Culture of Stoicism." English. August 2002.
2. Ishizuka, Kasumi. “Shame Culture in Japan.” English. December 2011.
3. Kurutani, Sawa. "Behind the Paper Screen." English. May 2006.
4. McCrann, Takako. "Shame, Honor, and Duty." PBS Essay. English. About 2005. (Author is the Director of ESL at Bellevue University, Bellevue, Nebraska.)
5. Sack, James. "Shame in Japan." PDF. English. 2004. Includes observations that Japan's modern culture is changing.
Mehn, John Wm. Sowing the Gospel in Japanese Soil: Understanding Japanese Religious Beliefs. Book, English. Paperback, 212p. Kindle. Nov. 2019. [Click here]
Abstract [from the author]: I have tried to present a broadminded evangelical perspective on some complex issues. This book is written in two parts, the first explores the soil of Japan and the second focuses on sowing the gospel in Japan. Each chapter will attempt to answer several key questions of our quest to penetrate the beliefs and worldview of the Japanese. The book contains a handy index to the content. [The author is a member of Reaching Japanese for Christ.]
Keywords: Japan, evangelism, missions
Godwin, Liz. "Why are we losing 80% of Japanese returnees?" Article, English. 2016, rev. 2018. [Click here]
Abstract: By 2020 the number of Japanese studying abroad will double to 120,000. It is a great ongoing tragedy that many who find faith outside of Japan don’t get involved in the church in Japan when they return and subsequently fall away. The author and her husband, with 30 years of experience in ISM, spent two years in Japan to research the problems Japanese returnees face in their own culture, including the need to be invited into the existing group. In addition, the author gives several helpful suggestions toward getting Japanese returnees integrated into the local church.
Keywords: Japan, returnees, integration, cultural barriers