HISTORY

Japan consists of four main islands; Hokkaido, Honshu, Kyushu and Shikoku. Only about 250f the land is suitable for settlement, the rest being mountains. The forests cover about 70 percent of the total land area. Mount Fuji, the highest peak in Japan, rising to over twelve thousand feet, is one of the most perfect cone shaped volcanoes in the world.

The earliest inhabitants may have emigrated from Siberia in the north, China and Korea to the west and Polynesia from the south. About 300 BC, the Yayoi people settled in the Tokyo area. As more and more settlements banded together to defend themselves, by 300 AD the Yamoto clan had unified the nation by conquest or alliance the settlements. Buddhism was introduced from China and in the first century Emperor Shomu ordered construction of the Todai-ji temple and built the great Buddha "Daibutsu," as well. The temple still can be seen in Nara today. By the 8^th century, the Emperor Kammu moved the capital to Heian (now Kyoto) in order to stay away from the Buddhist clergy, who interfered with the political affairs. Heian modeled China’s Tang Dynasty. It was during this period that Chinese arts, ideas, institutions and character writings were imported to Japan. In the 12^th century, Japanese monks returned from China and brought back the new sect called Zen, which was particularly appealing to the samurai (warrior class). The code of samurai was drawn from Confucianism, Shinto and Buddhism. It required the samurai to have endless endurance and total self-control, to speak nothing but the truth, to display absolute loyalty to his lord and to honor his integrity with his life.

In 1259, the Mongols conquered China and approached Japan through Korea. Kublai Khan sent envoys to Japan seeking their submission. The envoys were expelled and further envoys, sent by Kublai Khan, were promptly beheaded. In 1281, the Mongols dispatched an army of 100,000 soldiers to attack Japan. After initial success, a typhoon came and destroyed the entire Mongol fleet. The lucky typhoon was known as Kamikaze (divine wind); the name used by Japanese suicide pilots who flew missions against the US fleet in the Pacific theater during World War II. Japan sided with Germany during World War I, but did not take much action or become involved in the conflict. In 1937, Japan invaded Manchuria in China in order to expand its territories. Once it’s attempt to neutralize the US had failed, a surprise attack was launched by the imperial naval and air forces on the US Pacific Fleet based on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii on 7 December 1941.

At the end of the war, the Japanese economy was in ruins. It then developed a textile industry and began the manufacture of labor-intensive goods for export. Soon Japanese "economic miracles" appeared in every sector of the economic activities. Nowadays, many of the Japanese electronic products and automobiles dominate the world’s markets.

CULTURE

Many Japanese arts and crafts are internationally known. The Ikebana (flower arranging), shodo (calligraphy), origami (paper folding) and bonsai (miniature gardens) are all done with distinctive Japanese flair and ritual. Others like traditional dance and music, scroll and screen-printing, oriental doll making and kite making (for kite festivals) are less known but, nevertheless, are very popular among the Japanese. Each art form varies from region to region within Japan. Many handicraft and ancient skills are handed down, in a family, from generation to generation. These skills are recognized as "national treasures" by the government and the public.

The Japanese appear to be a very humble people, as is demonstrated by their way of bowing to say "hello," "goodbye," "thank you" and "I am sorry." How long and how deep the head is lowered depends on the status and how much gratitude a person wishes to present. When you enter into a restaurant, you will be greeted with "Irasshaimase" (Welcome!) and the waitress will bow and ask you "Nan mei sama?" (How many people?). You say nothing, except to point your fingers as the Japanese do. Then you will be politely led to the table. When you enter a house, be sure to take off your shoes at the entrance and don a pair of slippers that have been prepared for you. Chopsticks come in various styles and are made of different materials such as wood, bamboo, plastic or stainless steel. Prior to the meal, the utensils should not be picked up until the host prompted "Dozo" (Please). After the meal you should always express appreciation by saying something like "Go chiso sama!" (Thank you for the delicious feast!). The compliments flow naturally among acquaintances and even family members. When a compliment is first received, the response is often to deny it by saying Iie iie, sonna koto wa arimasen (No,no that’s not true), then one can be thankful for the encouraging words and say Domo arigato gozaimasu (Thank you so very much).

OUR MISSION

Roman Catholicism was first introduced into Japan in 1549 by Jesuit missionaries from Portugal. They had gained favor with some local feudal lords and many came to know Christ in the southwestern region. One of the first top warrior lords, Nobunaga, protected Roman Catholicism but his policy was replaced when the next man, Hideyoshi the Chancellor came into power. He turned sour on Christianity just when Jesuits leaders were beginning to reach the hearts of the people. He banned Christianity on July 25, 1587. On February 5, 1597, at the hill of Nagasaki, seven Franciscan missionaries and 19 believers were sentenced to torture and to death. They were led in a pitiful cavalcade to city after city, and were finally crucified upside down as common criminals. Among them were several teenagers. Ibaragi Kun, 12 years old from Kyoto, was the youngest. Shortly before the execution, an official came and begged him to recant his faith and to go home. Kun looked his tormentor in the eye and replied, " Sir, it would be better if you yourself became a Christian and could go to heaven where I am going. So, where is my cross?" He ran forward to his cross and knelt in front of it. Along with others, he sang praises until he could sing no more. It marked the beginning of 250 years of open persecution. Nearly one million indigenous Japanese Christians, consisting of many women and children, perished simply because they held on to their faith until the end.

Today, the Japanese people are, in some ways, still keeping Christianity at a distance. This is, regardless of the fact that the Bible wins the popular vote as the favorite book to read before one dies. The church wedding is also the most popular style of wedding in this so called, "Buddhist" nation.

Japan has 126 million people; 99.70f the population is non-believers and the Japanese people are one of the largest un-reached groups in the world. The average Japanese church has about 30 members and they are struggling to attract the pleasure seeking, affluent and atheistic public.

However, because of your participation, many Japanese will see how Christ works in a life. They will gladly accept the free gift of salvation when the message is communicated in a loving manner. Please pray that you'd be an ambassador for the Lord this summer, go to this culture rich country and bring the true joy and peace to the people of Japan.

Country name: Japan (Nihon)
Area: 377,435 sq km (234,010 sq mi)
Population: 126.5 million
Capital city: Tokyo (pop 11 million)
People: Japanese (including indigenous Ainu & Okinawans)
Language: Japanese
Religion: Shinto, Buddhist, Christian (0.5%)
Government: Constitutional monarchy
Head of State: Emperor Akihito
Prime Minister: Junichiro Koizumin

GDP: US$4.2 trillion
GDP per head: US$23,400
Major industries: High-tech electronic products, motor vehicles, office machinery, chemicals.

Would you spend one years serving the Lord in Japan?

International Teacher Placement Service(ITPS) is an uniquely organized, worldwide network ministry. You can be a part of this community and join with us in our strategic planning and our vision to bring people to the Kingdom of God. It will not only be an exciting and rewarding experience, but above all, it will bear fruits that will last for eternity.

We are seeking tent-making staff members who have a love for God and a sincere desire to serve Him, to be assigned to Japan. If you have an available heart, please pray for God’s will for you to take this opportunity, and because of your effort, hundreds of lives will be changed.

Please visit our website at www.ITPSusa.org for more information.