Why Japan Rejects Foreign Religions (like Christianity)
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 มิ.ย. 2024
- Why does Japan reject foreign religions? And how does that affect Japanese people who do decide to follow Jesus? In this episode of Hard to Reach: Japan, Steven Morales explores why Shintoism and Buddhism are so intertwined with Japanese identity, and sits down with Japanese Christians to learn what that cultural challenge looks like today.
00:00 Cold Open-Is Japan Religious?
00:55 Shintoism Explained
3:11 Buddhism Explained
4:47 Atheism in Japan
5:31 Asami and Ami
8:28 Yoshito
11:47 Chad
13:54 Asami and Ami Again
18:11 Next Episode Preview
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As a Japanese Christian , I really appreciate you for making this well analyzed and valuable video .
Although there are a lot of needs like evangelists , churches , other stuffs in Japan, even if you all are not in Japan, you all can tell the Gospel to Japanese being in your countries.
Japanese people are more open-minded when they go abroad than in Japan, so it is easier for them to accept the gospel.
I hope God will use you guys.
This is a much better approach that will be much more effective. I think the Japanese people need genuine Japanese native Christians to help lead them to Christ in a gentle honest manner.
@@sirmrs6952 A vast majority of Japanese will never go abroad, and never meet a Christian abroad. So it is best to try to witness to them in Japan even if it is hard. Japanese churches compromised before WW2. They submitted themselves to the evil government and were never the same. They were never the same after that. They valued harmony over truth. To this day Japanese churches are weak on evangelism and are barely holding together. The ones that go against the culture and actually do evangelism are prospering, but they are in the minority.
@@DudeNamedDuncan Last time Japanese Christians united was before WW2. They united to compromise big time by cooperating with the evil government. That was a big scar for them and they were never the same after that. Japanese Christians have a history of compromise, not standing up for truth, because in Japanese culture harmony is a greater value than truth. The main issue is Japanese Christians do not evangelize well or at all.
@@John3.36 I am half-Japanese and live in Edmonton, Alberta. Since the mid-1970's Japanese tourists have been coming to the Canadian Rockies. Whenever I went to Banff and Jasper National Parks I would take Japanese language scriptures and leave them in the book section of Youth Hostels. It is not a perfect solution but I do what I can.
@@DudeNamedDuncan Japanese Christians compromised together before WW2. They were never the same after that. Japanese Christianity has always been weak in that it conforms to the culture for harmony rather than truth to reach the masses.
18 minutes of high film editing, insanely educational content that makes us think and look towards Christ? COUNT ME IN!!!
Theravada is the real Buddhism. It is better than any other religion, including Mahayana Buddhism because some Indian scammers made Mahayana Buddhism to reduce the power of Theravada teachings.
It’s really amazing. God bless them for this
frfr
Fr I'm in
Buddhist science is explained in Abhi Dhamma Pitaka, and I verified it Mathematically.
As a missionary who’s been serving in Japan for the last 10 years, I deeply appreciate this video
Can you share some testimonies?
Yes. Would love to connect with you if possible and hear more. Thanks!
You should stay in your country.
As much as I would like to to preserve people’s privacy I won’t be doing that on here. I appreciate the interest though.
Also thanks for your opinion Niam! Sad to hear you think borders should be closed and immigrants should stay in their country of birth. Personally as the first generation son of an immigrant myself I believe diversity and open mindedness elevate all of us.
@@JohnnieBailey it's like me saying I should go to Europe and spread Islam or Buddhism because they believe in a false belief. Why do you people think you can intrude on another culture?
My family of 6 will be moving this year as missionaries to Japan.
We believe God has great things for Japan.
Wonderful!!
I love how my prior comment was deleted.
What kid grabbed your computer and typed a random word?@@pepper1614
HalleluYah
Godspeed, Brother.
Ps 18.30
As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.
It really clicked for me when you said that although faith in Buddhism/Shinto isn't taken seriously in the modern day, it's important because it is seen as a facet of the Japanese identity, and as a Christian living in Japan, I believe what they really worship now is being Japanese. Since Japanese culture values conforming to the norm, there is a sort of set way to "be Japanese". This is why half-Japanese children can face problems being accepted, even though they may grow up in Japan. I've even heard some Japanese people who go abroad for a while and come back are told they're "not Japanese anymore" by friends. For Japanese people to be open to Christianity they absolutely need to be shown the love of Christ, but they also need to be willing to give up the security their identity as "Japanese" brings (in the cultural sense), and embrace a new identity in Christ. Cultures are beautiful and should be celebrated (Rev. 7:9), but conforming to culture can also be an idol.
Satan is masterful at setting up anti-Christian cultures.
But Jesus is more masterful at tearing down strongholds!
That's such an interesting way to put it! I have been learning a lot about Japan in the past few years, ever since God has put a burden on my heart for Japan. It was always obvious that parts of the culture seemed to be a barrier to christianity, but I never realised that the simple fact of "being Japanese" could be as much as an idol for them. I am often thinking about how to show them that christianity does not have to be at odds with their identity as Japanese (which is still pertinent I think), but if they look at this identity and at all the cultural artifacts linked to it as an idol, they will have to let that go to come to Christ. It would be crucial to identify this as we reach out to Japanese people.
And some of my Christian Japanese friends told me that they are not "real" Japanese... I guess that relates to what you said. There is a very specific way to be Japanese, that you have to follow even if you are ethnically Japanese.
I'll give a perspective about this: Scriptures in the new testament *does* speak about culture and identity. It's interesting because in the NT we see Jewish people who worship being Jewish and all of their national and religious identity instead of the Lord God of Israel and his Messiah, Jesus.
In fact, the Jews are blind to Christ because of that, and only the Spirit can light their hearts so they may see the glory of God in Christ Jesus (2 Co 4:6).
Japanese people need to see the glory of God in Christ, they need to listen to the gospel. And so they might see that in Christ we receive a new live, new identity, we become people of God, we are loved, justified, forgiven. Because in Christ:
"[...] you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." (1 Peter 2:9)
Wow, very interesting perspective. Thanks for sharing.
I have to say, the gentleman sharing about how it took 50 years for someone to get saved but they did really encouraged me for people I’ve been praying over for 15 years. I’m grateful for hearing it tonight.
you are sick to think that someone has to be saved.
Even though I'm from a completely different culture, when she started crying and explaining that even though she's been rejected by people and it's been hard, she can't stop believing in Jesus because He loves her and saved her, I knew EXACTLY what she was feeling and EXACTLY what she meant. This is the beauty of the gospel, the beauty of Christ. That love that knows no bounds, that love that heals you through and through, that redemptive love that changes everything. I pray for Japan and I pray for all brothers and sisters over there to stay strong and steadfast in the faith always. God loves you and there's a community of believers all over the world who love you ✝️❤️
Amen amenn
It would be very hard to have so few Christians to talk to and relate to. It makes me grateful I don't have that in Canada. I feel that frustration w/ the odd friend who can't relate to me as a Christian, but they at least don't stop me from talking about it. That would be so hard.
She has a brother in Brazil sharing tears with her! If your reading this, stay strong sister, your cross is heavy, but you are not alone!
Japanese people will only reject you if you keep pushing your beliefs onto them.
I know many Japanese who are friends with Christians, but once they get all preachy the Japanese will tell them to chill out.
Imagine me only ever bringing to a conversation how everyone without Christ is going to hell. Nothing say, “let’s be friends” than hellfire…
I'm not a Japanese but I've been deep into Japanese culture for many years, I was fascinated by Buddhism and Shinto and did a lot of research for a story that I write (you may call it a medieval japanese fantasy dealing with spiritual questions) and you know what, I failed to find a "happy ending" resolution in the oriental teachings. I truly love and respect those cultures, yet in the end I had to invite into my story the One Lord who is Love and hope for all, the Creator that Buddha refused to believe in. Letting go of everything including love and attachments in order to find liberation from sufferings is indeed a very sad way. And it happened not just in my story but in my real life as well. God let me meet him after such a roundabout, having been born in a Christian country (though atheistic at that time), baptised in early childhood, I've been seeking truth everywhere, in different cultures and beliefs, except where it has always been - right under my nose.
Amen, God is so good! 🙌🏼
Power and perfection are overrated. I think you were right to choose happiness, love and freedom instead.
curious isn't it? how he works
Yes, a sad way. This is far better: *Matthew 10:34-35* “Do NOT suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law."
*Matthew 10:37* “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.”
*Luke 14:26* “If anyone comes to me and does not *hate* their father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters - yes, even their own life - such a person cannot be my disciple."
@@JamieBar Choices? Freedom? Sounds like Orwell's Doublespeak, Doublethink and cognitive dissonance:
*1-Peter 2:18* _“Slaves,_ in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh.”
*Ephesians 6:5-7* _"Slaves,_ obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as *slaves* of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.”
*Romans 1:1* "Paul, a _bondservant_ of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God."
*Romans 6:16* “Surely you know that you become the *slaves* of whatever you give yourselves to. Anything or anyone you follow will be your _master.”_
*1 Timothy 2:1-3* “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people - for *KINGS* and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior.”
Why trying to replace traditional religions of this country ?
Because, whenever all you say, the majority of Christians countries have western mindset and as consequences, an opening to western way of thinking in the end.
Let Japan be Japan , westernization of this country must be stopped for its own sake.
Christianity for Europe.
Buddishm and Shinto for Japan, period.
Yes!! This is important!!
there is a famous saying about Japan which is: "you born a Shinto, you marry as Christian, and you die as Buddhist", which describe the place such ceremonies take place (Shinto shrine for newborn ceremony, church for marriage ceremony, and Buddhist shrine for funeral ceremony, at least sort of). I think most Japanese view religions culturally (like you have said) and aesthetically (most Japanese are fond of (and some of them even have embraced) Christian aesthetics and themes even to their creative works), not spiritually like others view religions. I think one way (not necessarily the only way) to bring Japan(ese) to accept the Gospel is to convince them the significance of religion to their life and how Christ is the best way of all
Maybe not religion itself, but the faith in general.
There is also probably the overwork culture, which is definitely spiritual in nature. If Satan cannot shake your faith once you know the Gospel, his minions will make you busy so you dont even have time to think about your spiritual salvation.
In the past i wouldve thought its just a cultural thing, but even the most "hustle" cultured country America barely competes with Japan crazy work culture (even if its mostly just staying at office doing no actual work). It certainly have demonic influence in nature.
I left a comment, youtube have been deleting my comment lately so lmk if it do that again...
@@Crustee0Just this one bro :(
@@JohnCephas aw shucks. I was commenting on how a wise Christian said that if Satan cant turn you away from God, we will be made busy. CS Lewis or maybe someone else xD.
Basically whats happening in Japan ig. They dont even have time for themselves, and only attend "tradition" events like new year etc. And imagine the tradition being etched as identity, that would make it so hard to try and find God, or even think about questions that lead to search for God (life purpose, etcetc)
Yesterday, I watched a documentary called Christianity in Japan - A Full History, from the channel, @Easy Seikai. It went into more detail about the beliefs and history of Japan, as well as the horrific tortures suffered there by Christians during times of persecution. Such a fascinating history. I have always heard it's such a difficult place to reach for the gospel. This was so encouraging. I especially loved the interview with the Japanese pastor! What a blessing to have had such a heritage. And I just wanted to hug those dear young sisters.
About to watch this now. Looks good thanks! I actually starting watching the movie silence directed by: Martin Scorsese.. catholic movie but still awesome indeed of great endurance in the faith
I found it fascinating. And I truly don't know how people survive some of these horrors. I pray I am never in such a situation. I know how weak I am! @@noguile2737
In deed, Christians have been in Japan for nearly 500 years, but most of them were killed off in the late 1590s. It took Christians another 300+ years to reach a quarter of a million, and then the USA bomber Nagasaki and Hiroshima, the two cities in Japan with the most Chritians. So yea, Christians killing Christians... if you can call the Mason presdient a Christian... which now I think one cannot. Masons are not Christian, they are anti-Chritstian, Hence the reason he chose Nagasaki and Hiroshimas to be the bomb drop targets. In a matter of seconds the FreeMasonic president eradicated almost all Christians in Japan.
Have you watched what the Christians did in Goa in India? The persecution of Hindus by the Portugese, cutting off the nipples of women, stealing their children and forcing them to convert...such a wonderful faith full of love. smh. Maybe first learn how Christianity persecuted the world bfore you start crying white tears.
@@noguile2737 is it bad that it's a Catholic movie?
As someone who’s part Japanese and a Christian, I loved this. Being Japanese through my mom’s side, she and I would often talk about how Japan’s is a very cold, spiritually-dead culture where loving or otherwise showing any emotion other than anger just aren’t things you do; ultra repressed. Add to that high stress because of unnecessarily brutal societal expectations and related suicides, low birth rates, etc., the Japanese people really, really need Jesus. I’ve always found the situation very sad. But it’s so heartening to see that slowly but surely, the gospel is continuing to spread there.
On a personal note, when I was a kid, my grandma (full Japanese) would never embrace us grandkids or say she loved us, but as time’s gone on and she’s slowly become more open to the idea of Jesus, she’s simultaneously become much more open emotionally. She’s 90 now and she’s still not quite there yet, but I know that God will ultimately save her and the rest of my yet unsaved family.
Thank you for making this video. Truly top-notch.
It's the same story with South Korea although I'd say they are even slightly worse.
China seems to be having quite a Christian revival. There is persecution there for Christians and the church is underground from what I hear. Persecution seems to paradoxically make the church grow. I dont' think there is persecution of Christians in Japan, just a great indifference, from what I can tell.
That's what I see underneath the surface all the time, a society that's aimlessly existing. I see in the bitterness in the undertide
makes me what to go there to become a missionary
What? You actually care about your mother and grandmother? You must be an apostate . . .
*Matthew 10:34-35* “Do NOT suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law."
*Matthew 10:37* “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.”
*Luke 14:26* “If anyone comes to me and does not *hate* their father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters - yes, even their own life - such a person cannot be my disciple."
@@sisigs4820 But they can't top "Suicide Alley": Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, Colorado.
After reading Silence, Japanese Christianity has become a fascination for me, love this content! The storytelling and editing are awesome, thanks for sharing this.
As someone who's lived in Japan for 25 years, I can affirm that you get a lot right in this video, but there are two big things you leave out. First, ancestors are one very big reason why Japan will be the last country on Earth to become Christian. Sixteenth-century missionaries encountered the same problem, when Japanese tearfully asked them: "What about our ancestors? Are they damned?" If there's one thing that virtually all Japanese believe in, it's respect for and veneration of one's ancestors. For that reason alone, any religion that says you can't get to heaven without being baptized into another faith doesn't even get to first base. Second, as someone who's lived in Japan for a long time, I can attest that most Japanese are better people than most Christians around the world. They're more honest, more courteous, more helpful and much less violent than people in other countries. If you're going to evangelize the Japanese, you need to make sure that the evangelists are at least as virtuous as the people they're sent to preach to - otherwise it reflects badly on your faith. By the way, I'm a Christian.
But you see... I am getting in hot waters but I want to say this... Protestants such as Calvinists have very strict "rules" for what entry into Heaven means, they even go for predetermination of salvation & damnation. American Christians have a big emphasis on "being saved" by baptism & faith in Jesus' name because they emphasize a few very important lines from the Scripture (namely that eternal life is giving through the rebirth of the Holy Baptism and that no one can come through The Father except through His Son, Jesus Christ), but omit plenty of other lines (briefly that some worship to Whom they know, but some still worship to Whom they do not yet know, that what is impossible for man is possible for God, that saying "Lord, Lord" won't get you into the Eternal Feast, i.e being nominally Christian is not enough, not even saying you believe in the Name etc).
This leaves us with the understanding of Salvation that Western Christians have (that I've noticed the Pastor in the video also has), which is unlike that of Eastern Christians. (Catholics are actually somewhere in the middle with their dogma of Purgatory but that's imo wrong for many reasons)
An Orthodox Christian would say that if you want any chance for actual Salvation from Christ to your ancestors, you yourself NEED to get baptized. That Salvation is not an individualistic thing and that Jesus already harrowed hell once. That The Father is interested in the heart and that it is Christians that bear the responsibility of their faith, not those that haven't yet heard the Gospel (Parable of the Minas & Parable of the Talents, also Luke 12:48).
The way Orthodox Christians view Salvation is completely different, it is mystical, it is not legalistic, it is also not easy (Protestants insist of salvation by faith alone, Orthodox insist on faith proven by acts, I'd say the Orthodox set themselves up for a more difficult job). We need to keep in mind that hell was harrowed once. If there's any hope for pagan ancestors, that hope is in Christ! THAT is the message for people holding their loved deceased ones dearly.
Ancestors are not necessarily damned. Harrowing of Hell has been part of Christian teaching since the beginning. Read up on it.
@@DexiPawnzpretty much what I was thinking. Also Orthodox Christianity encourages us to pray for the souls of the departed.
Your answer is simple - Ask those Japanese folks if their ancestors followed their conscience or not. Those who did not, and died guilty and ashamed of their lives for which they never made any penance for, were likely dammed. Those who did, rose with Christ. Simple.
Baptism is absolutely necessary for salvation, but if you had no chance, at all, for it, then simply following your conscience was enough.
(This is a Catholic speaking, btw.)
Very good, honest points.
Looks like this is a job for Catholics.
Christianity, Judaism, and Islam are monotheistic religions that believe in one absolute God. On the other hand, Japanese Shinto is a polytheistic religion that enshrines many gods called Yaoyorozu no kami. From a Japanese perspective, Jesus Christ, Yahweh, and Allah are all considered to be one of many gods. Monotheistic religions such as Christianity required that all Japanese people change to believing in one God. In Japan, many people feel uncomfortable with this difference. Therefore, it is not very popular in Japan. Buddhism, which did not do so, became familiar to Japan. ⛩ Shinto is a ``faith'' without a founder.
Technically, the Abrahamic faiths didn't originally believe there was one absolute God, that's a later interpretation. Judaism was originally monolatristic, the First Commandment tells you that Yahweh is the God of the people who were brought out of slavery, that's not God of the universe, but God of the Jews, and it doesn't imply he's the only one. You can only interpret it that way if you view it monotheistically. The Second Commandment tells them not to bring other Gods before Yahweh. That's a commandment of exclusion, that you only worship Yahweh exclusively, not that all the other Gods are fake.
Christianity and Judaism has always been monotheistic. The God of the Jews is the same God of the universe. He chose the Jews as his people for no reason other than that He set His love on them.
Yes all other gods are fake because they cannot save and they did not create the universe. That is why no other religion can take you to God because none except Christianity answers the very needed problem of just punishment by a holy God and an eternal righteous relationship with him. You will never find an atonement and perpetual righteousness in any other religion or religious leader except Christ who is truly God.
@@addjoaprekobaah5914 "Christianity and Judaism has always been monotheistic." You should do a little more reading on the history of Judaism and whether or not they were always monotheistic
@@addjoaprekobaah5914 So every religion has its own creation myth, which is why Yahweh isn't relevant to most people in the world, even in ancient times. That isn't to say that Yahweh and Jesus aren't real or that they are evil, i believe they're righteous too. Jesus said that the only way to the Father is through him, he's not lying. But Yahweh's kingdom is just one destination in Heaven, there are many Gods and many destinations and paradises. You can't be saved by Yahweh if you don't follow him, that's true, but you can be saved by other gods.
I love the world's diversity of cultures and ways of seeing the world. Japan is one of my favorites. So it actually angers me to see that people, regardless of good intentions, seek to paint other cultures over with their monotheistic brushes or worse; take over completely, like an invasive species. This has happened enough throughout history. The Japanese culture has problems and wounds, but all cultures do. We all suffer and heal. The planet we all live on is itself fractured and bleeding; that makes it dynamic and living. No evangelical has to come and patch it up.
Japan with its unique culture will stay in touch with itself. It already is a very blessed country. Peace.
Japanese people celebrate births at Shinto shrines, many of them have their weddings in Christian churches, and funerals in Buddhist temples.
It is said that many Japanese people are non-religious.
Japanese people believe that gods are everywhere, and Jesus Christ and Allah are just one example. They believe that gods exist in mountains, the sea, the sun, the moon, trees, the wind, dogs, houses, and toilets. That is why they cherish and clean everything.
These teachings are Shinto.
Japanese people are Shinto believers without even realizing it. Shinto has no restrictions whatsoever, but there are shrines in every region throughout Japan, and they serve as playgrounds for local children.
Okay pagan polytheistic larpers
@@cudanmang_theog ok imaginary sky friend larper
I've been living here in Japan now for 12yrs, and while the narrow path to following God is a lonely journey, giving up friends/family who choose not to walk alongside you, it's God who will be the lamp to your feet and light unto your path to others who unite with you in Jesus name.
Hey, it's all part of the contract, you know, _family values?_ *Matthew 10:34-35* “Do NOT suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law."
*Matthew 10:37* “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.”
*Luke 14:26* “If anyone comes to me and does not *hate* their father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters - yes, even their own life - such a person cannot be my disciple."
"giving up friend/family who choose not to walk with alongside you" that makes your religion sound like a CULT.
My thanks as a missionary Japan. This was excellently made.
Praise God! Praying for your ministry there.
Why Japan? What about the people of Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, West Virginia, Arkansas, with all their obesity, diabetes, depression, opioid add______ . . . Or Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesian, Malaysia with all their t______m and "honor k_____s? Are you racist or just plain chicken?
"Being a Christian is seen as being non-Japanese"
A quote from a Christian missionary friend of 32 years in Japan told me that while we ate our Udon in Tokyo 😅
yea, yea....
I’m not japanese, nor am I christian. I don’t know why i got recommended this.
Majority of Japan is aethist and not religious. Just as America will celebrate with fireworks on July 4th and New Year’s Eve it’s the same concept with Japan participating in Shinto and Buddhism. It’s like how you said, they don’t identify it as a religion they belong to but part of identity of being Japanese.
This is so convicting, to think of the privilege I have as a Christian in my home country brings sobriety to how I live for God. Thanks for sharing this, I pray that The Lord will remember Japan and that He'll raise workers to labor with Him in for His Glory.
The editing on this channel should be what other christian channels aspire to be. Very well produced, easy to watch, you have set an amazing standard. I came from part 1 and watched the Iran Playlist...top tier content.
i hope Japan keeps their ancient religions first like shintoism and Buddhism
Yes, absolutely!
When Ami-san said that Japanese just don't know how to love each other, something inside me just broke. It seems to be normal these days to notice people get misled by pop-culture about true values in life but it is a different thing when it is somewhat of a national idea. I pray for my brothers and sisters who spread the Word in Japan. You do a great job and you are blessed in so many ways. God help you, thanks for being there. It just motivates me so much to give more for people here where I live. Truly there is so much lost to be found still
yeah, because their so conscious about effecting others that they hide their feelings inside.
Fun Fact - Dhyan Buddhism of India becomes Chan Buddhism in China and Zen Buddhism in Japan with Unique blends of distinct Cultures! 🇮🇳🇨🇳🇯🇵
Praying for our brothers and sisters in Japan, keep on the faith and will be praying for Jesus to be known in Japan. May God bless you more! From your brother here in the Philippines.
Mabuhay! My wife and I are in Apayao. One of our churches in Davao City will soon be sending a missionary to Japan. She will go as an English teacher.
They know who he is and they don’t want to believe in somebody who claims to be a universal god but only spent his life in the Roman province of Palestine and never cared to travel the world to spread his message
Kol-j, tell us more of your hilarious mumblings! And please don't ever study any topics you weigh in on. You might cease to be so laughable!
@@FRN2013this is not real sprituality it is just race of Christian and Muslim. We all know how religious and spiritual is west is ! When some one new come under Christian fold they get spiritual feelings and connection but after 20- 30 years all there spritual fades away and they become scientific. But Japan/ Buddhism is opp of these, that they know real spirituality and have better connect with supreme and divine God 🙏 . Namo Budhaye 🧡🙏
SteveBreaks, you have no idea what Christianity is. But that's OK. Most people don't.
Real Christianity is death to your old sinful life, and resurrection into life with Jesus, the risen Savior and Lord.
I am a missionary in Osaka and I really appreciate your work. I think you reached to the roots of the biggest obstacle to receive the Gospel here.
I'm currently in Osaka and have seen you during Sunday's Mass. As a migrant from Vietnam who's just arrived in Osaka, I really admired Missionaries for their efforts, countless of them shedded their blood and lives to built the foundation for Vietnam's Catholic Church to flourish as it is today. In that spirit, please have faith and do the same for Japan's Christianity, so that one day people here will come to live as brothers and sisters in God. Thank you. ( We always pray for Japan's Christians during Masses in Vietnam in memory of Father Francis Xavier and the Martyrdom of Japan)
@@vuanh75 thanks for your message. I admire the Vietnamese catholics. I don’t know how it was the evangelization of Vietnam, but they made a very good job. Your love for the Sunday mass and the sacrament of reconciliation is a sign of this treasure.
If you want to talk more just let me know who you are on a Sunday mass.
Kind regards.
@@MisionJaponMany of the missionaries who were expelled from Japan during sakoku would later go to evangelize in Vietnam
I find similar difficulties as a Buddhist in the West. It has taken years of practice to break away from my Christian past and become more culturally Buddhist. I am so grateful to have been a part of a growing community after having converted solely on my own.
what kind of buddhist are you?
@@Arjunarjunskiy Theravada.
@@kitiowa why not zen?
@@Arjunarjunskiy Zen is rather syncretic. It borrows a lot from Taoism. Theravada more closely related to the earliest forms/practice of Buddhism. I have great respect for the Mahayana streams of Buddhism but certainly prefer Theravada.
@@Arjunarjunskiy I categorize Buddhism differently than most. Theravada, Vajrayana/Tibetan, Zen/Cha'an, and "general" Mahayana. I could almost make a point in saying Zen isn't really Mahayana. It comes back in some ways to so called "Hinayana". In Zen one is expected to attain enlightenment through one's own effort as in Theravada. The grace of and devotion to Bodhisatvas isn't much of a thing in Zen and that rather defines Mahayana.
Traditions in culture are hard to break because they are born with it. Thus, my heart is always in prayers for Japan and the people.
Buddhism and Shinto developed while Japanese culture was still in its genesis. While Christianity came much later I history hence the big historical divide.
I live in London. A few weeks ago I met two nice Japanese ladies seperately and then I shared about the Gospel of Jesus. I am from South Korea. I am always trying to let those who have never heard or never read about our Savior and His love.
Hey sister, how did they respond if its ok for sharing?
Is there more Christianity in S. Korea?
@@saintejeannedarc9460yes, S Korea used to have the biggest Church in terms of the number of members in attendance. They used to be the #1 country in terms of the number of missionaries sent out to the world.
PS I only say "used to" in the two statements because i dont know what the statistics are true so they might still be true in 2024 but i didnt want to give you false information that may not be true today but it was true for some time well into the mid 2010's.
@@davidp3473 That is wonderful to hear that not all of Asia is Godless, or w/out the one true and living God. I've heard China has the fastest growing church as well. It's a persecuted and largely underground church, but that's usually when the church grows the fastest.
good on you sister! >:D
I am Japanese and a casual follower of Shinto and Buddhism, have always been fascinated by the cultures of the West and the Middle East since my childhood.
Now I have read too much about how Jews, Christians, Muslims and various sects among them did to each other, and feel like I'm not going to dive into the chaos and take side myself.
I am American and interested in Buddhism and Shinto and try to integrate into my daily life when I can. It can be difficult when you live outside of Japan or in a place that doesn't have a significant Japanese diaspora. In Hawaii, there exist Shinto shrines dedicated to both Japanese and local Hawaiian gods.
I think you mean to say what the various sects of groups were doing to each other in the 00s-1960s
Vikings did the same
You don't have to take sides. But consider what you have read (since you claim to read too much about those religions) and ask yourself this. If Christians did terrible things in certain points of history, were they doing it because they were following Christ's teachings OR were they doing it because they were NOT being faithful to Christ's teachings (and doing so for other agendas)? You will find the answer. And presuming that you know your own people's history, it's not like Shinto and Buddhism co-existed peacefully all the time as well. (e.g. see 廃仏毀釈 and 神仏分離 and Kokugaku and so on)
Judaism, Christianity, Submission are Semitic. For true Western thoughts and philosophy, study Solon, Cleisthenes, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Zeno, Cicero, Marcus Aurelius, Giordano Bruno, Francis Bacon, Galileo Galilei, Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Voltaire, Denis Diderot, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Montesquieu, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Paine, Ethan Allen, Charles Darwin, Nikola Tesla . . . (some have certain parallels with Buddhism).
@@JamieBar Shintoism may be great for the environment, but horrible for society (s......., brutal warfare), like the Submission religion. Polynesians practiced human sacrifice, and k........ their enemies to gain their _mana._ Buddhism, Taoism, Stoicism are a better way to go.
This series in Japan is a real blessing, brother! Thanks for your faithfulness to God's calling!!
Crying and praying over Japan, the second largest unreached in the world. May the love of Jesus be made known among the Japanese people, the one who died for every tongue, tribe and nations.
Thank you so much! We are heading to Japan soon for missions and this is so encouraging! I will share it with all of our supporters! May the Lord of the harvest send out laborers into His field!
I will pray for your mission! 🙏 If I may ask, what denomination are you guys?
Also, did you know that Chrono Trigger has some Christian imagery in it? I couldn’t help but make the connection because of your pfp and the context.
just leave them be dude you would probably discourage them to join because you missionaries keep coming
@@Thai_countryball facts
This series has been so encouraging. God bless Japan and her people! ❤🇯🇵
Very moving. I was so pleased that one of the young women interviewed became a Christian in NZ, my country and even more so because of the love the oeople shared with each other and with her.
Praise God for this comment section also. Its so motivating to see that despute the odds, there are workers. May the Lord continue to be with those there and hopefully i can join as a worker too
My takeaway from this video as an agnostic is that those who are willing to convert to Christianity in Japan are not doing it because they are convinced in the truth of the Bible vs the truths given by buddhist or shinto doctrine, but rather by a desire for community and belonging. The greater japanese populace conduct shinto and buddhist practices because that's what it means to be part of the greater japanese community, and those who aren't satieted by that, those who don't believe that the connection is strong enough, those who are lonely, they are the ones willing to convert. Listening to the converts in this video, we don't hear "I went to church for the first time, and after listening to stories about Christ, I felt a great surge of emotion" or anything like that. We hear "I did not understand what they were saying, but they were so welcoming and kind and weren't afraid to be vulnerable to eachother."
This to me doesn't speak about the power of God in Jesus, but at the state of japanese isolation and loneliness.
Read 1John 4: 7-20. It says that unbelievers will know Christians by their love. Not surprised that this is what draws people. Also, Jesus left plenty of evidence for us to believe in him.
@@nancymaine4917 maybe some proof but the wrongs in it disprove it
@michaelweiske702 I thought so too. Most humans want to belong and feel connected. It could be anything that does the connecting.
Yes. You have so rightly judged the situation, and yet, this is how Christianity is designed to operate.
The Bible is very explicit about love being the essence and evidence of the Christian. The very point of it. In the end, no one Enters into a worldview because it makes sense. They enter because they see it working. They believe it will keep them sane in dark moments and gives them hope of flourishing.
So we see Jesus performing miracles to bring people in, Then he gives them the truth of God's kingdom. And many are offended by the truth, because it will cost them everything they think they know. But some will realize that this is the only way and let go of what wasn't working.
So wether it's miracles or "soup and soap," or just a kind touch, you get the benefit first (you receive love) Then you come to understand (I can love and be loved because salvation is free). It is the only way. It's the power of the juxtaposition ("how can this be?") that readies the heart for truth.
First off, Buddhism is a Belief not a structured religion, secondly, why is it anyone's duty to worry about where the stranger next to you is going to in the afterlife? Because it was written? I reached a point a while not to worry where or what happens if anything when I depart life here.
As cynical as it sounds, most missionaries I've met have made conversions seem like a numbers game or popularity contest.
@@JamieBar what bothers me is Christians always think it's their duty to convert even if the person is Happ in their beliefs.
Do you know what Buddhism teaches? Do you know that in Buddhism there is a heaven and hell too? If a follower can't achieve nirvana or liberation from the cycle of rebirth in this life, they have to at least acquire good merit and karma so that they can have a better rebirth either as a human again or in heavenly realms. THEY HAVE to avoid bad rebirths in hell or as an animal or ghost. That's why it's been regarded as a proselytizing religion who views its precepts as universal for all humanity, as much as Christianity does. So quit playing the moral relativism card here. Most religions teach something you have to be worried about when you depart. Buddhism IS ALSO a structured religion, with all kinds of actual orgs such as orders, schools, and also set doctrines and teachings. Buddhism is also concerned with fellow strangers and what happens in the next life.
Religion is about teaching a sense of responsibility and contractual obligation on how you should be a decent human being concerned about some kind of truth and justice for this world and possibly beyond. this kind of post here shows how certain Westerners really have no clue about other various religions and beliefs.
Christianity is notorious for proselytizing.
Right.
This editing work, cinematography, and script writing is amazing for getting its point across. Keep up the good work, this is absolutely stunning to see from such a small creator.
What lovely people in the interviews. They expressed themselves so beautifully. 🩵
As a girl I read a lot of manga and watched anime. As a Christian that cares deeply about the gospel, I also knew Japan has less than 1% of it's population as believers and I knew according to surveys people kind of said they had no religion. But from all the media I was consuming I could see that the people did partake in loads of religious traditions-- especially Shinto ones. I was always so confused about how a culture could simultaneously be so religious and yet not at all. Part of it had to do with the weird post WWII declaration that worshipping the emperor was then illegal, but I was just surprised that I could never find an article, research, or video to do a deep dive on the why. This is the closest explanation I've seen so far.
This is also a good topic of exploring the difference between religion, faith and belief
yeah for me too, confused as heck
I think you will find your own Christian beliefs to be highly bound up in your cultural assumptions and world view as well. Your sense of self, your sense of time, your sense of having the freedom to direct your own affairs, your sense of fairness, your sense of suffering, all of these are most likely Western in form, and each profoundly one affects your theology and your faith.
Thank you so much for these videos. To see the hearts of these two girls and the pastors for the Japanese people is really touching. I keep crying to all these videos!
I'm praying for the people of Japan and for the Lord to do a mighty work in their hearts.
Love is not proven only by words, but every action we take reflects our love for God and the people around us
@@EthanTheBondserventI am a nice person but if you don’t believe in my religion that is thousands of years younger than yours then you’re going to suffer for the rest of eternity 🥰🥰🥰😘💖🤟
This video brought tears to my eyes. Well done and thank you.
Thank you for this video and the beautiful testimonies. Praying for Japan❤
The way some Japanese are both Buddhist & Shinto seems sort of how in Europe some people who are Christians still nod towards fairies, brownies, duendes, etc.
Religion in Japan has traditionally regarded as being tempered with pragmatism. There are even things that seem contradictory with Buddhism that been compromised with Japanese culture.
Wow. Thank you for telling their story so that we know how to pray.
What an amazing video. Thank you.
Watching it again
Mad quality, brother!
Well documented video. God bless on your mission 🙏🏼
I’m japanese and we don’t believe original sins so leave us alone 😂
Human beings do bad things. They also do good things for bad reasons, and bad things for good reasons, as well as good things for good reasons, which can sometimes make other human beings have bad feelings. It's not possible to be completely disconnected from wrongdoing since there is always the possibility of doing bad things. (Children are often not fully aware of when they do something bad, so they are not equal to adults in this aspect.) That is the "original sin" in Christianity.
sure but you can value a story of Japan being created through the sexual intercourse between a twin brother and sister?😂
Orthodox Christianity does not preach original sin. It's a Catholic and Protestant thing. Orthodox Christians don't preach aggressively. Come and see if you want We will not pester you or anyone else.
@@arianinigo9889
What you have described is the inclination to evil. Original sin is a Catholic and Protestant thing.
Fr why always try a turn normal people worship their gods to believers of Jesus. Leave us alone
Thanks for making this series. As someone interested in working in Japan, its very informative.
Japan is known in the world for having the most respectful and polite citizens, one friend shared that this fact could also be a barrier on reaching them since their citizens think that being clean, nice and polite or doing "good" would somehow earn them their version of heaven.
Wow... As an American who's lived in Japan nearly all my life, I've had no idea that these 2 religions co-exist.
About a week ago I was praying in tongues about Japan and its religion, and this random word jumped out at me: "shokyoubyouki." (Kanji: 諸教病気) So I went to Google Translate, and turns out it means "various religions disease". (I'm pretty certain this isn't a common word/phrase in Japanese, but rather a combination of words) Anyway, this was such a cool confirmation, and I am ready to see God break these strongholds of religion down!
That’s awesome
If these religions have been existing for thousands of years and the Shinto one is a lot older than Christianity, you think he will strike them down?
I don't understand how someone lives anywhere for most of their life and doesn't arrive at a general understanding of the religious atmosphere.
This shows the exact disrespectfulness of religious foreigners who really care nothing about local culture. You live in Japan for your life and you've never heard 神仏習合?
Beautiful video reminding me of How God gathers his flock unto himself no matter where in the world they reside.
I’ve been learning the Japanese language for 2.5 years now. As of now, I plan to attend University in Japan, and seeing this video really shows how much research was done as someone who is interested in Japanese history. They are a people of perseverance and diligence, and I wholeheartedly respect them for that. I pray that Japanese people will realize that following Jesus does not mean abandoning their culture.
it mostly does, you step into a new identity
今までには日本語はうまく通じていますか？
はい。
Abrahmic faiths and preservation of native culture seldom go hand in hand.
This is so inspiring. I need more information as I will hopefully end up in Japan on Missions. Hope to connect with you in the next 5 years
This content is incredible. Thank you so much for producing this.
I'm informed and inspired to seek the will of God and pray for Japan. You are bringing awareness to the ripening of Japan. Press on towards that high calling!
It’s so weird to me that with such a small Christian community in Japan that you didn’t interview any Catholics or Orthodox also.
Right....especially since Catholic Christians were the first to evangelize Japan, and thousands of Catholics have been murdered and totured in Japan for their Chritian faith, in the last 500 years.
It’s a Protestant channel
this channel is protestant. he won't engage with Cath or Orthos given the theological differences
Southeast Asian Orthodox Christian convert here. Would be nice if Steven had at least mentioned bits of history such as St. Nicholas of Japan who played quite a crucial role in reintroducing Christianity to Japan (next to important parts such as Catholic or Baptist missionaries during the period of the Meiji re-opening). There is actually quite a significant and growing amount of Japanese Orthodox due to its proximity with Russia. there is also a nice Russian fictional but religious movie about a Japanese orthodox priest, titled 'Yerei-san', if you are interested to check out.
@@Perceptionistaand actor Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa is an Orthodox priest
Depressing. Selling bible based Christianity is disrespectful when there is an sophistocated indigenous spiritual culture. We Christians would do better to try to discover what the Japanese can offer us.
I’m so glad I stumbled upon your channel thanks to a link to the interview with my friend Chad Farmer. I’ve had a heart for Japan for nearly three decades.
Wow i like documents and struggle to find the ones like this so i really enjoyed watching these please make more!!! So educational and it was filmed well thank you! 😱❤
Religion is expressed through culture. Christianity, when properly embraced, should purify a culture by embracing the best in it while stripping away the worst of it.
The problem with that is agreeing with Christianity's of definition of "best" and "worst" and whether those definitions suit the culture.
Another QUALITY production. God bless you, brother!
the opening gets me every time very well made
This video passed so quickly! Loved the production, and the testimonies. Really makes me think about the harvest. There are plenty of needs to be met, of harvest to gather, and we need to pray for the Lord to send more workers
As I was praying for a Spiritual awakening in Japan to happen to cure the countries depression this video eas recommended to me.... Thank you Jesus
You guys get me with every video. Love the work you're doing, and God bless you all.
Awesome video Radical keep doing what you do
Great content as always! I'm super impressed with these videos. I pray they're used to mobilize believers to unreached nations.
I pray that many japanese and chinese como to Jesus,and find his love.
This is so interesting and encouraging! Thank you!
Beautifully done!
So good! We are missionaries in Kyushu planting a house church! This video is incredible! シェアさせていただきます。
Even as an American I can relate to the stumbling block of “love”
Must be very hard for the Japanese to soften theyre hearts
I’ve always loved Japanese culture
This is awesome. I love it. it brought what my professor taught to life! My professor of missions was Ray D. Arnold… he was one of the 1,000 missionaries that General MacArthur called to go to Japan at the conclusion of WWII. One blog notes this about the endeavor: "Perhaps General MacArthur didn’t succeed in bringing Christianity to Japan in the institutional sense. But he did bring mercy, forgiveness and respect for human dignity-the heart of Christianity-and these the Japanese graciously accepted."
I'm happy that you made a series about this. I was going to be a little ticked if you just made the one mini doc. I've been on several mission trips to Japan, and this is a very nuanced subject.
This made me cry 😭 their stories are so beautiful
Also I’m surprised how much of the Japanese dialogue I was able to understand
17:59 18:07 what is said in this segment i didnt understand?
we have a favor to ask of foreign tourists coming to Japan.If you are going to enjoy Japanese culture, please have respect for the Japanese religion of Buddhism and Shinto. Because Buddhism and Shinto are a big part of our culture.
Frankly speaking, many of us feel that Japan does not need missionaries. We are not dissatisfied with our religious views because we are not dissatisfied with our own.
Yes. I love living here as it is.
This is not about destroying culture, It is about the ultimate truth.
Jesus is the ultimate truth. And there is joy and culture in Jesus Christ. He allows culture but in a way that glorifies holiness, not demonic strongholds
Naah you don't speak for the whole of Japan. Stop assuming it cos you will never know how many people need God in their life. I have been a buddhist for the past 40 years and doing good deeds and charities until Jesus found me in my most vulnerable moments when praying to idols have nothing. Buddhism is all about nothingness. From nothing going to nothing. How sad. He showed me that He exists and love us all the same and my life was turned around. I never knew life has such treasure that I didn't know off and how i wished i known it sooner. Search the ancient scriptures even in Chinese ancient history have accounts of the one true God. The missionaries are not to convert but to share who this marvellous God is. Only God can touch your heart and you make the choice to accept Him or not in your life.
@@woodkey1 Please do not misunderstand my opinion. I do not deny Christianity. There are many people in Japan who are saved by Buddha and deity just as you are saved by Jesus. I only want you to respect our culture and know the background of our culture.
Thanks for your comment🙂
@@lauraaw.2095so in other words you have no respect and you live in a barn😂
So beautifully filmed! You have places the Japanese people in my heart.. Praying for breakthrough for all who minister there! 🙏🏻
The production quality of this video is absolutely amazing. Awesome work and very relevant subject matter, may God bless you for all the work you do!
Here's the problem iv personally had with Christins as coming from a American hobo who practices Shinto.
When I personally wanna believe something is there , especially with something that is to keep me alive , especially like trees , sun and grass , all stuff that we need to live , I'm obviously for lack of better words , gonna believe it as they bring us life. We don't really need big churches or a large group of people in order to worship the kami or nature itself. We don't have to go up and down a aisle to ask for handouts basically to keep going.
Iv traveled all over the US and have dealt with nothing but 9/10 horrible churches that look down on me and my pups because we live outside. Iv seen churches in the name of Christianity do some pretty horrible things .
Now I know some people will be like " well who put the grass or trees there ?" Ok who made God then ? You can't really answer that now can you. And that's ok I'm not bashing really.
I'd rather save our rivers and forest and let other people keep their cultures and not.be influenced by a culture they didn't ask for.
I pray and hope that Jesus opens eyes and touches lives in Japan.
😢 thank you for documenting this
Digging these videos. Keep it up!
Major eye opener. Leaning in with fasting and prayer. Looking for ways to support
Shintoism sounds kinda like Native American spiritualism, believing everything has a soul/spirit, which isnt too surprising when you realize North America and Asia were once connected by the Bering Strait.
Most indigenous cultures and traditions from Central and North Asia/Siberia and Far East, stretching all the way to the Americas, North and South, would have some vague but surprising similarities in religious views/frameworks, cosmologies and the like. This is probably due to common ancestry of the early humans migrating across those continents.
Awesome video!
Okay but the editing is craaazy ❤❤😮
Why should people leave Shintoism for Christianity, whose god-father was invented 5000-3500 years ago?
Lol what?
@@sonicthehedgehog1606 YHWH was invented 5000 years ago , by the Hebrews. 295k years after homo sapiens evolved in evolution.
Amaterasu, Jinmu and other Kami are much younger then. They were only invented around 2000 years ago. Hebrews already wrote the Torah and built their Temple in Jerusalem twice when Japan was still inhabited by the Jomon and the Yayoi (the true ancestors of Japanese) were only beginning to migrate from Korea to the islands. Jesus was also already preaching when Yayoi culture was in its primitive stage of development. Evolutionary history aside (which many Christians can accept) Some of us will still trust the Judeo-Christian traditions over Japanese traditions, thanks.
@@Perceptionista Thanks for your comment.
That doesnt change the fact that your abrahamic god YH WH was invented by the Hebrews 5000-3500 years ago.
Jesus was a human preacher, just like Buddha, and Buddha lived and developed his man-made wisdom 500 years before Jesus lived and developed his man-made wisdom.
Just Buddha was so honest and confirmed that he is just a human. The claim about Jesus to be a god, you only find in the gospel of John, and its simply not the case.
Claiming man-made wisdom and man-made errors, as existing in the bibel, to be given by a god is harmful, because reality is demanded to adjuts to those errors and not vice versa.
The Dalai Lama said clearly that if Buddhism contains scientific erros, it shall adjust to the correct scientific knowledge.
Resumen: lets hope the abrahamic religions never have the chance, to destroy the beautiful unique Shintoistic and Buddhistic culture in Japan.
Thanks for your time.
@@Perceptionista I answered you, if my answer doesnt get displayed then switch in "Sort by" from "Top comments" to "Newst first" .
There she is displayed :)
This popped up in my recommendations. I am not really familiar with the context of Christianity with the non-Catholics so thanks for bringing this up! I saw your other video about the start of Christianity in Japan. I'll watch it later. You may want to research Takayama "Justo" Ukon's life.
Wow, this really touched me... Thank you for your dedication to make such a great video!
Praying for Japan
What a marvellous video! Subscribed immediately and praying for Japan.
The hearts are hardened anywhere, but it’s particularly rocky and brittle here in Japan, I pray the Orthodox Church can thrive in Japan as the times get darker, we are the lamp of Christ in this world
Fellow Orthodox from Asia here. May the Lord bless you and may His Spirit guide all souls in that country to Him and His Holy church.
Very interesting explanation of Japan’s religious views. I was expecting you would talk about the first Christian Missionaries and those who died due to their faith. Saint Paul Miki coming into mind. It’d be good to develop a video where the efforts of those missionaries are explained and also tour through the Churches these missionaries laid a foundation to.
Love your channel man!!!
Excellent film making!!