The Church in Japan faces a number of challenges in its mission to grow and influence Japanese society. The following are some of these challenges.
The first and greatest challenge facing the Church in Japan is the small percentage of the population that considers itself Christian. According to data from the Japanese embassy in Brazil, the Christian population (Catholics and Protestants) in Japan is a minority, representing around 2% of the total population.
Another challenge facing the Japanese Church is culture and tradition. Japan has a long history and rich cultural tradition, which includes Shintoism and Buddhism as the country's main religions. Japanese culture is deeply rooted in these traditions and religions, which can create barriers to accepting faith in Jesus.
But perhaps one of the biggest problems that not only the Church but also Japanese society as a whole has faced, is the large number of people who have psychosomatic illnesses. Many of these people, at the height of their suffering, choose to end their own lives. According to data from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Social Welfare (MHLW), in 2022 alone, the number of suicide cases in Japan increased by 2.7%, with 21,584 suicides recorded.
In the midst of challenges, the body of Christ present in Japan has been an agent of transformation, preaching the good news of the gospel and leading thousands of Japanese people to the path of salvation. There are so many testimonies of people who opted out of taking their own lives because a member of Jesus' Church announced to this person the hope of eternal life with God, and freed them from the clutches of the enemy.
Certainly, the Church in Japan will not retreat. On the contrary, it will continue to advance with power, bringing glory to God! With your prayers and donations, and with Christ's victory won on the cross, we will continue to advance until this country is fully won for Jesus! Do you want to help us overcome all these challenges? Click on the link below and donate to our mission in Japan.
Sources:
https://www.br.emb-japan.go.jp/cultura/religiao.html
https://www.prensalatina.com.br/2023/01/20/suicidios-aumentaram-no-japaodurante
-2022 /
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