GOD AT WORK IN JAPAN

Imagine standing in a high rise in the heart of the iconic Shinjuku district of Tokyo. Through the large glass windows, you see the skyline of the city extend into the horizon. Streets are bustling with people, buildings house thousands, below the ground the subway system that never sleeps transports millions of commuters across various destinations. Across the cities of Japan, a similar reality plays out.  “Look at all these people,” says pastor Chad Farmer of Mustard Seed, a robust church in the heart of Harajuku, Tokyo, “Statistically speaking, we are the only believers here. The rest are headed for a Christless eternity”. Hearing that 95% of Japanese people will die without ever meeting a Christian is sobering, but during our month-long vision trip in May ‘24, this reality hit hard. Many Japanese will never hear the gospel.

Japan is a beautiful country with rich culture, known for its kindness, safety, efficiency, and excellence. Yet beneath the surface lies hidden brokenness; pressures to conform, depression, loneliness, high suicide rates, and social withdrawal, especially among the youth. Shinto and Buddhist values permeate society, with temples, shrines and spirituality being integral to daily life, but the Creator remains unknown to most.

Despite fast-paced, pressure-filled lives, there is a growing receptiveness and longing for deeper relationships. Many yearn for authenticity and a space to be truly seen and known, something their culture doesn’t easily offer.