Five reasons to be concerned about Japan's lack of knowledge of Christ

Japan is a country with a unique culture and history, with faiths centered on Buddhism and Shintoism. However, in recent years, Christianity has been losing its presence, leaving Japanese people in need of spiritual salvation. In this article, we examine five reasons for concern about Japan's lack of Christianity and explore the impact this issue has on Japanese society. We hope this article will provide an opportunity to consider how the message of Christianity can contribute to the spiritual salvation of Japanese people, while respecting the diversity of faiths.

Concerns about Japan's ignorance of its creator, God

Idolatry exists in every country, but there may be few countries where it is as deeply rooted in the religion as it is in Japan. From ancient Japan to the 21st century, idolatry is openly practiced in shrines and temples. The reality is that there is no recognition of the existence or authority of a Creator God.

I have written about the foolishness of idolatry in other articles. What does it mean for humans to not acknowledge the Creator? All of nature, including humans, is not the product of chance. Each has a design, and there is a Designer. If humans do not acknowledge God, the Creator and Designer, then humans themselves become creators.

Humans define what kind of gods they are. In Japan, too, people in each region define their own gods. For example, there are gods of learning, safe childbirth, and safety in the home, as well as gods of anything, like general stores. Humans can create any god they want, however they like. Japan, which has committed such a sin, will be judged by the one and only God. I will discuss God's judgment at the end of this article.

Concerns about Japan's loss of morality

Japan's moral values ​​are a wonderful blend of the "nature worship" that originated in Shinto, the emphasis on "compassion and sincerity" influenced by Confucianism, and the "compassion" of Buddhism. As a result, harmony with nature, consideration for others, and humility are valued. Maintaining order in Japanese society, which is dominated by Japanese people only, has been easy.

However, Japanese society in 2025 will be completely different. It will no longer be a society made up of only the Japanese people. Values ​​are diversifying, globalization is progressing, and people of various races live here. The traditional moral values ​​of old Japan are no longer valid in today's Japanese society. It seems to me that with the loss of moral values, Japanese society is becoming more and more confused and heading towards evil.

Not only that, but in this society, money has become an idol, and climbing to the top even by using others as stepping stones has become a status symbol. "Compassion" and "humility" have become obsolete words that are no longer heard in people's conversations. In fact, the current state of Japanese society is that compassion and a humble attitude have been forgotten. The following scripture describes the current state of Japanese society:

They are filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, malice, envy, murder, discord, deceit, wickedness, gossip, slanderers, God-haters, despicable, proud, boastful, devising evil schemes, disobedient to parents, ignorant, faithless, heartless, and unmerciful. They know that God has ordained that those who do such things deserve death, yet they not only do them themselves but also approve of the same behavior in others. Romans 1:　29-32

We currently live in the world described above. The sinfulness of Japanese society is not only manifested in crimes that violate the law. Rather, much evil is taking place out of sight, in places that are not regulated by the police. For example, exaggerated advertising that borders on violating the law can be seen everywhere. Fraudulent business practices that deceive buyers are rampant.

The sinfulness and evil described in this passage are also evident in the relationships between Japanese people. Crimes such as robbery and murder are visible sins. These crimes are like magma burning inside a volcano, causing it to erupt. The anger and sadness inside people continue to boil over. When they can no longer be contained, they explode and damage relationships with parents and children, friends, and spouses.

Even though we live in a world stained with sin and evil, many Japanese people think, "I have nothing to do with evil. I am a good person." Next, let's consider the concept of "I am a good person."

Worried about Japan, where people think they are good people

I have already written about the foolishness of thinking oneself a good person . Even those who do not acknowledge human sin will admit that we live in a troubled world where evil is rampant. Each of us is a part of this world. We are somehow connected to this dark world. We are indirectly committing evil.

A fish living in polluted water cannot escape that polluted water. Some bad influence will appear. The same is true for us humans. As long as we live in this polluted world, we cannot say that we are "free from the influence of evil."

The Bible declares that all men are under sin. Let us open our hearts to this truth and confront the evil that dwells in our hearts. In relation to the lack of moral values, I am troubled by the anti-war attitude of the Japanese.

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War is someone else's problem, and I worry about Japan's opposition to war.

I was born in 1956 (Showa 31), and am a member of the postwar generation. This was the time when Japan began its postwar period of rapid economic growth, as it tried to catch up with the United States. Even in such a world, August 15th, the anniversary of the end of the war, was a special day for the Japanese people every year.

Eighty years have passed since the end of the war, and perhaps the fear of war has faded. Although politics has become somewhat more right-wing, there are still voices of opposition to war among Japanese people. What worries me is the way Japanese people think about war. For Japanese people, war is something that doesn't concern them. They hope that Japanese people will not be drawn into war. "Of course," you can almost hear some people saying.

They are vocal in their opposition to nuclear weapons and war. Here too, the underlying idea is that they are "good people." They believe that "American military bases are there to protect Japan, so we should leave war to America. We Japanese don't need to get our hands dirty." Isn't this also a very selfish and self-centered way of thinking?

I am not saying that "Japan should also take part in war." Rather, I am arguing that we should recognize that war occurs because of human sin. We cannot pretend to be the only good person. The reason for opposing war is not simply that we do not want to be involved in war. The act of war is a sin.

War is not something that only happens to other people. If we were to be invaded (which of course we would not want), would we Japanese just leave defense to the US military and do nothing?

Worried about Japan's ignorance of God's judgment

Finally, let us think about Japan, which is unaware of God's judgment. Will God's judgment day come tomorrow, next week, 100 years from now, or 1,000 years from now? No one knows the day or time except God the Father. But that day will surely come.

Most Japanese people do not believe in Jesus Christ. How will God the Father judge the country of Japan and its people? I have no idea. I simply hope that as many people as possible will believe in Jesus Christ. I conclude by quoting the following scripture and offering a prayer:

The Lord said, "Who then is that faithful and wise steward whom his master has appointed over his servants, to give them food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, finds doing as he is told. For truly I say to you, he will make him over all the possessions. But if that servant thinks that his master is delaying his return and begins to strike the manservants and maidservants, and to eat, drink, and get drunk, then the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour when he is not expected, and will severely punish him and assign him his portion with the unfaithful. But that servant who knew his master's will and did not prepare himself or do what his master wanted will be severely beaten; but he who did not know and yet deserved to be beaten will receive a small beating. For to everyone who has been given much, much will be required, and from him who has been entrusted with much, even more will be required." Luke 12:　42-48

God will judge impartially and fairly. He will ask much of those who know the Lord Jesus Christ, and little of those who know nothing of Him. This meaning will be made clear at God's final judgment. Reflecting on the fact that over 99% of Japanese people do not know the Lord Jesus, I offer this prayer. May the Holy Spirit work on each and every Japanese person and open the eyes of their hearts.

• by Masanobu Nonogaki

• September 22, 2025