12 things every missionary to Japan should know

Though ministry in my home country felt comfortable and made sense to me, I didn’t realize that my prior experience wouldn’t easily translate over to ministry in Japan. What are some common snags missionaries run into? What misunderstandings might have been avoided? Reaching Japanese people with the gospel takes wisdom and understanding. I wish I’d known the following 12 things when I first started.

1. Ask multiple times

It could be an invitation to attend a church event, visit your home, or simply go out for coffee. As new missionaries, my husband and I would ask once, maybe twice, but when the answer remained “no” or there was hesitation, we figured they weren’t interested and quit asking. One Japanese man told us, “Keep asking. I will turn you down several times.” We wondered, “Wouldn’t that be too pushy?” He replied, “Push me! Japanese people want to be pushed!”

2. Keep the first step low

A Japanese friend taught us that some places are harder for people to enter than others. Entering a Christian church for the first time is a very big step, whereas entering a new café would be a much smaller one. How can we make initial steps easier? Instead of meeting at a church, maybe we could meet outside or at a public meeting place. My husband and I ran a coffee shop for several years and found it was a perfect way to invite people into our space while keeping that first step small.

3. Beware of letting Japan’s culture limit your witness

We come to Japan as learners, desiring to know the culture and operate as much as possible within its guidelines. There’s the temptation to want to act more Japanese. But over time, I noticed that I allowed the culture to shackle my witness. I used to be more ready to speak to a stranger, but after observing how Japanese people stay in their own circles, I let their custom curb my way of reaching out, which also whittled away my interactions with new people. Though we’re encouraged to avoid being that proverbial nail that sticks out, sharing the gospel definitely makes you a nail that sticks out! How much can we adapt to Japan’s culture without muting the voice of the Savior?

4. Realize that Japanese people aren’t in a spiritual vacuum

Most Japanese people have very little background in matters of the Bible and concepts of Christianity. It can seem like an uphill climb when we witness to them, and sometimes I give up before I even start, thinking, “They’ll never believe this.” I figured they had nothing to work with. Yet God reminds me that every human being has all of creation as evidence that God exists. Humans also have the law of God written on their hearts, giving them an innate sense of right and wrong (Rom. 1–2). Because the basic ideas of sin, Jesus, and the cross are not common to the Japanese, a chronological overview of the Bible can lead up to God’s provision of a Savior in a way that brings clarity to the big picture of the gospel.

5. Explain the concept of sin

The Japanese word for “sin” is the same one used for “crime.” Many Japanese (and Americans!) would say, “I’ve never committed a crime.” Others have said, “I used to sin as a child, but I don’t anymore.” Be ready to give some examples of the kinds of things sin encompasses—lying, speaking evil of another, hating someone, seeking revenge, and bullying. Visual images can be helpful, too, like the bull’s eye illustration: hitting the center equals sinless perfection; anything outside of that is sin.

6. Emphasize the concept of shame

This is so opposite of how I view the world! As an American, I grew up clearly knowing my own guilt from my sin. There was a rule, and I broke it; therefore, I am a sinner and deserve to be punished. But I’m learning that many Eastern people aren’t as impacted by guilt as they are by shame. When Japanese people shame someone, it’s a grievous thing. For example, the shame of having a son in prison may cause a parent to move away from his or her hometown and break off all friendships. How can we explain how we shame our Lord and Savior by sinning against him and rejecting him?

7. Understand that Jesus didn’t die for the “mask”

Finding a way to the heart of a Japanese friend is quite the challenge. My Japanese friends can put on a good front, projecting a life of happiness, comfort, and smooth sailing. I’m good at this, too! But God tells us that without Christ, we have no hope in this life or the next. How can we draw close enough to probe into heart needs, easing past the walls that separate us from the true person?

8. Be careful when asking a Japanese person if they want to accept Christ

Japanese people tend to discuss important things circuitously. By asking too directly, we don’t allow them to save face. They understand the answer you’re hoping for and don’t want to disappoint you or cause you to lose face. Because they are quick to want to please you and keep a relationship with you, Japanese are likely to verbalize assent without real heart change, leading to false conversions.

9. Use Scripture

Sometimes we struggle to know how to put the concepts of the gospel into the Japanese language in a way that makes sense to them. One Japanese friend tells of the time she was ready to accept Christ at a camp, but the missionary who took her aside could barely speak Japanese. Instead of saying much, the missionary pointed out certain verses in her bilingual Bible, having my friend read them for herself in perfect Japanese. My friend got the message and was gloriously saved! The Word of God is powerful (Heb. 4:12).

10. Value the Japanese Christians around you

The absolute need for Christian fellowship, encouragement, and accountability cannot be overemphasized. Sometimes we missionaries feel we can be encouraged only by other missionaries. But Japanese Christians are part of the body of Christ, too. We can study the Bible and pray together, we can value and welcome their input into our spiritual lives, and we can learn from them. How do they share the gospel effectively? What is God teaching them?

11. Be encouraged—even a dim bulb emits some light

I often feel like a failure as a missionary. But then I remember that a little light is better than no light at all. Even if no one accepts Christ, at least some have heard the truth. I remind myself that if I were not here, they would’ve had even less of a chance of meeting a Christian or hearing the gospel.

12. Undergird everything with love

As we prepared to come to Japan, a pastor answered our plea for advice this way: “Loving people goes a long way.” People can tell if they are sincerely valued, not just looked at as a project or duty. Enjoying people doesn’t come naturally to some of us, but we can all learn to love them in some way. One Japanese man (Mr. R.) who’d had an unfavorable run-in with a missionary was intrigued by my husband’s method of evangelizing. Everywhere the two of them went together, Mr. R. introduced Norman as “a missionary and Bible teacher who doesn’t always talk about his religion.” Then they usually started talking about spiritual things!

We missionaries have much to learn when we enter the challenging mission field of Japan. May we continue to learn how to lovingly and effectively transfer God’s message to the Japanese people.