The difficulties of being a Christian in Japanese society

“What are some challenges you face being a Christian in Japan?” I asked. We had gathered nine Japanese Christian friends together, eight women and one man, to talk about the issues so that we could be better informed. This group of believers living in rural Japan raised several issues, such as choosing between church and community events on Sundays, and growing up as a Christian.

It soon became clear through the conversations that what they desired was a forum to share their difficulties with each other, just as we were doing at that moment. What they did not want were cookie-cutter solutions on how to deal with the cultural challenges of being Japanese Christians living in their own culture. They needed to be personally heard. And they also desired support. One woman said to a pastor’s wife in our group, “When my family is sick and facing death, I want to be able to call you and your husband.”

Listening and taking into account the emotional element of the situation of Japanese believers—including pastors—is essential for missionaries to be truly helpful to the Japanese church.

The choice between community and church

The first issue mentioned in our discussion was Sunday worship. Sunday is often the day of community events in Japan. How often my wife and I have had to apologize in advance or simply did not show up for cleaning days, training days, or other community events. Even school-related events are sometimes held on Sundays. One woman shared how difficult it was for her to drive by the fields on Sunday mornings while her neighbors were working there. She wondered if there was some way she could have handled it better. Would it have been better if she could have persuaded her unbelieving husband to accompany her and her children to church?

I have seen this issue managed in various ways in Japanese churches. One approach is to honor the Lord and show up diligently to worship services on Sunday mornings as an example to other believers and to unbelievers. A second way is to have worship services at a time other than Sunday morning. And a third option is to encourage believers not to attend Sunday morning worship when there is a community event happening so that they can demonstrate their care of the community and in that way be a witness.

Relationship with shrines and temples

A person’s relationship with the local Shinto shrine and Buddhist temple was another significant issue. In our town, there is an annual summer festival. The first day is very much connected to Shinto rituals as the mobile shrine is carried around town in an elaborate wagon. The second day of the festival features the local Hanagasa Odori (flower hat dance), which is largely connected to the construction of the local manmade lake. Before the festival, volunteers go to all the households asking for contributions for the festival. New to the town, one woman nervously explained to the collectors she was a Christian and did not want to contribute to the shrine, but she was willing to give toward the dance parade. The collectors understood and assured her they would honor her request. She gave half of what most people give.

Related to this, another woman observed that it was difficult to determine what was acceptable or not for a Christian and still be a good member of society. Another participant pointed out that even Japanese who are not Christians have different levels of belief in Shintoism and Buddhism, and yet many help on cleaning days and give toward upkeep of the grounds in their community including around shrines and temples.

Identifying as a Christian

Using the phrase “because I’m a Christian” was sometimes stressful and yet necessary for the participants. One older woman expressed how she found it better not to share that information right at the beginning of a conversation, as it would come across very strongly as “I am not one of you.” She shares it only when a specific activity is against her Christian convictions. This woman generally found her neighbors and family to be more understanding when she shared this way. For example, for a Buddhist funeral, rather than refusing to attend at all, it was better for her to explain which parts of the funeral she could not participate in because of her faith.

Dealing with death

This leads to the most difficult issue that our friends wrestle with: how to deal with death in Japanese culture. One woman in her seventies shared that she still can’t summon up the courage to discuss these things with her husband, who she prays will become a Christian. If she were to die first, she desires a Christian funeral, but her husband, being uncomfortable and unfamiliar with Christian traditions, would probably do a Buddhist funeral. On the other hand, if he were to die first, he would want a Buddhist funeral, as would most of her relatives. One widow shared that as soon as her unbelieving husband died unexpectedly, the local Buddhist priest was at her house to discuss funeral plans. For her it was difficult. Her husband wasn’t opposed to aspects of a Christian funeral, but he was on the local Buddhist temple board.

As the group continued to talk, they spent a great deal of time discussing the difficulties of breaking away from the Buddhist temple where the family grave is registered. Not only are there huge family issues to deal with, but there are also large financial expenses involved. Some talked about doing this sooner rather than simply handing down the problems to the younger generations.

Growing up Christian

The challenges were not confined to the end of life, as there are difficulties for children in Christian families as they grow up. For instance, fitting in is such an important part of school life, and children, especially from middle school, are constantly comparing themselves to others. When you are different, you always feel like you are making mistakes. One woman shared that her coping mechanism was to never have close friends. In that way, she could be comfortable with being different. Another woman commented that in junior high, she was able to live “against the flow” because she clearly understood the biblical way she ought to be living. It was tiring, but at the same time it was freeing. She added that there were family and regional differences about how to live among other Christians and among the general Japanese population.

Creating community

To help unbelievers become more comfortable among Christians, the group discussed how it was good to have non-religious events that offered a taste of Christianity and let believers and unbelievers work together. In recent months, a woman in our church started a Japanese sign language class. Initially, it was for people in the church, as there are Deaf believers in the community with whom we were interacting more and more. A Deaf couple came to assist in the instructing. Through word of mouth, unchurched people began coming to the classes, and the unchurched had such a good time that they asked if they could invite their friends. The class is almost half unbelievers. We laugh together, work together, and sprinkle in Bible vocabulary (signs) and practices.

The Deaf believer who was a part of our discussion group reminded us that he became a Christian because of many, many months of fun and food at a Christian missionary couple’s home. Without knowing any sign language themselves, this missionary couple saw the need for fellowship among the Deaf, so they opened their home regularly for hours of games, eating, and “talking.” In learning sign language, these missionaries were able to learn how to more clearly communicate the gospel message. It was a slow process for our Deaf friend to be introduced to the gospel message and then to finally start to understand it and then to believe it. His desire to know more came from the community created by Christians.

Listening and learning

Hearing from this group of Japanese believers, I deeply felt their tension of wanting to be good family members and local citizens while at the same time wanting to follow Christ Jesus wholeheartedly. Until now, I have usually asked other missionaries how to help Japanese believers navigate through these issues. However, I have found this community of Japanese believers from multiple churches and a seasoned pastor and his wife; they don’t have all the answers yet but are not afraid of the questions. Just having the privilege of listening in on the discussions concerning various themes from Scripture has informed and encouraged both my mind and heart. I was reminded that listening is the first step in caring for Japanese believers. In fact, listening first is an essential step that we all too often forget when we focus on our solidly held convictions formed in the environment of our own home cultures. I need to rethink these convictions with a solid foundation in God’s Word but also with a deeper understanding of how different convictions might be formed in a significantly different culture. In other words, I need to listen to understand rather than listen to solve. I need to trust the Spirit of God to work in the hearts of Japanese believers as they wrestle alone and together with God’s Word and how to apply it to their lives.