HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY IN JAPAN:

Although I am of full Japanese ancestry, I am a third-generation (“sansei”) American and thus not fully versed in Japanese history or language. However, I have lived in Japan for 4 years and have ministered there for over 20 years.

I begin by quoting Shusaku Endo (1923-1996), probably the most famous Christian novelist in Japan, who has called Japan a “swamp” that “sucks up all…ideologies (including Christianity), transforming them into itself and distorting them in the process” (Silence, xix). Christian missionaries often call Japan, a “graveyard of missionaries,” for despite the absence of legal restrictions on evangelism in the 20^th century and the valiant efforts of generations of missionaries, Japan remains merely 1-2% Christian. Why?

THE MARTYRS:

At one time, Christianity, in revival, flourished in Japan, but largely during the 17^th and 18^th centuries, a massive martyrdom of Christians, which we would call today “genocide,” took place under shogun rulers. In 1638 in Shimabara, over 30,000 Christians were murdered. Over time, some say 100-200,000 Christians were killed (men, women and children), often by crucifixion, some by burning at the stake, others by “anazuri” which is being hung upside down over a pit and slowly bled to death. In most cases, Christians were challenged to trample on a “fumie,” a crude carving or drawing of Jesus. If they refused, torture and martyrdom ensued. Satan ruled.

During the Tokugawa era, this was reinforced by the concept of “gonin gumi” which was a form of collective responsibility for spiritual deviation as Christians. This was part of the “sakokujidai” or closed Japan ideology. Christianity, the foreign religion, was extinguished.

NAGASAKI ATOMIC BOMB:

However, once Christianity was allowed again, revival broke out in what was called the East Asian revival where thousands turned to Jesus. Then on 9 August 1945, unintentionally, Nagasaki became a target for the atomic bomb and as the pilots flew over the city, the clouds parted exposing an enticing target -- St. Mary’s Urakami Cathedral, the center of revival. The church (during holy communion) became “ground zero”! With 12,000 baptized members, over 8,500 died as a direct result of the A bomb. Again, a revival was extinguished.

I believe firmly that under the altar of God in heaven, there are tens of thousands of Japanese martyrs, wearing white robes, who have “been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they maintained” (Rev 6:9-11).

“SPIRITUAL FORCES OF EVIL” IN JAPAN:

Paul wrote clearly, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Eph 6:12)

No different from any other nation, the devil and his cohorts has been battling for total control over the Japanese. “Forces of evil” are working through human agencies. Through deception (Rev 13:14; 20:8,10), the devil has perpetrated four colossal evil lies (Jn 8:44) in Japan:

1. Christianity is a foreign religion and has to be eradicated completely. Christians are the enemy. Christianity is non-Japanese, a pernicious import. Japan must be closed to foreigners. When asked if they are Christians, Japanese often respond, “No. I am Japanese!”

2. The basis of Japanese society is communal loyalty and therefore peer / social pressure must be used to ferret out Christian traitors.

3. As the Japanese are not only polite, thoughtful and loyal to their peers, they are also obedient towards established authority. The concept of “bushido” with virtues of obedience, loyalty and self-sacrifice have become focused on the emperor who himself was elevated to the status of a god (“kami”).

4. See below.

Japanese mythology reinforced political power. Through the “Kojiki” (680 AD) and

“Nihonshoki” (720 AD) mytho-histories, the dragon (perhaps imported from China) was elevated. The first “emperor of Japan, Jimmu (660 BCE) claimed that he was himself a descendant of the sun goddess, “Amaterasu-omikami;” he proclaimed himself a “kami” or god. He allegedly also practiced high level sorcery and some Japanese history books say he gave Japan to spirits in a covenant exchange for power.

In various occult ceremonies (e.g. the “daijo-sai”), the royalty in essence channel in ancestral spirits related to the sun goddess. Through various Shinto rites to this day, including the “obon” and “ohigan” festivals, spirits of the dead (in this case allegedly the spirits of dead ancestors) are summoned up by most Japanese. This concept is related to Chinese Taoism (e.g. the “hungry ghost” or “qing ming” festivals).

In 1879, the Emperor Mejiji established the now highly controversial “Yasukuni jinja” (shrine) holding over 2,400,000 “kami” or divinities (souls of departed warriors). Each year, political leaders attend ceremonies at the shrine to pay homage to these gods and some say to channel in the spirits in exchange for prosperity and power. The perceived power of dead spirits to protect, empower, bless, and provide are pervasive and culturally valued. Heroes can be immortal and are “gods” (“kami”). Thus the fourth deception is:  

5. People may die physically, but their spirits remain or can return, be summoned up, channelled for wealth, power, even love, etc.

GOD’S FINGERPRINTS IN JAPAN:

Please view “God’s Fingerprints in Japan,” especially Volume II. In it, we miraculously found an ancient scroll in which all Japanese “kami” can be traced back (even in the “kojiki”) to “amenomi-minaka-nushi-no-kami,” ( 天御中主) the one chief God, the first kami, in the center of heaven who created all things.

From Romans 1:20 and Acts 17:26-28 and experiences in many nations, we know that God has revealed Himself to the Japanese people before human rulers, before foreign missionaries. His Presence is evident in the Japanese personality, even today, of honor, humility, service, self-sacrifice, respect for elders, loyalty, fidelity, and abiding interpersonal commitment and love.

PRAYER::

Please pray:

1. That Japanese will know that above all, God “loves” them (John 3:16). Love, especially a “father’s” love, is difficult for Japanese to imagine.

2. That the deception and lies of satan (above 5 points) be bound (Mt 18:18). That God will sovereignly open the “eyes” of the Japanese that they might see the truth, “hear” with their ears, “understand with their hearts,” “turn and be healed” and saved! (Is 6:10).

3. That the Japanese will know that in His love for the Japanese, God has already made Himself   -- as “amenomi-minaka-nushi-no-kami’ (the one true God, the creator who dwells in the center of heaven) -- “clearly seen” and “understood” to the Japanese (Romans 1:20) prior to Western missionaries. Hence, the true God is not an import or foreign God. To be Japanese is to know, love, and follow Jesus the Christ.

4. That the Japanese will see that there is no power in ghosts, spirits of the dead, ancestors or even imperial “kami,” but that there is only one name at which “every knee should bow… and..every tongue confess..” and that is that “Jesus Christ (the) Lord” of all creation, of all things in earth, of Japan (Ph 2:9-11). For “by him” and “for him” “all things (including the Japanese people) were created” (Col 1:16).

Here is a link to the fascinating video “God’s Fingerprints” that will help you to understand and pray for the Japanese people with greater insight and compassion. Additional helpful resources are included on the website.

https://vimeo.com/16351232 

https://sites.google.com/site/alohakeakuaministries/resources/dvd-video