If I were to ask you to tell me your image of 'missions', chances are you would conjure up an image of serving the poor and needy in a destitute part of the world. Or maybe you would think about spreading the Gospel in a nation where political and religious persecution is rife and missionaries need to go under the radar to do their work.
I'm pretty certain that for many of you, your mind would not wonder towards a nation with the world's third-largest economy based on GDP; or a nation which is the fourth largest exporter and the fourth largest importer; or a nation with an unemployment rate of just 4%. Nor, I suggest, would you immediately think of a nation with the lowest murder rate in the world, the longest life expectancy rate and with relatively high religious tolerance.
No, I suspect you wouldn't think about Japan as a likely destination for missions. Japan...the land of the rising sun; of bullet trains, sushi, geisha and samurai. A cultural melting pot with an incredibly rich history. A nation where people are renowned for their warmth as much as they are for their politeness. Why on earth would anyone bother doing missions in Japan? Things would have to be pretty good in Japan...right?
Well, from a physical well-being point of view, perhaps. But consider this:
* Japan has the highest suicide rate in the developed world (OECD countries). In 2009, more than 30,000 Japanese committed suicide, most of which were professional men in their 30's. The cause of many of these suicides were work-related stress amidst the feeling that to be less than perfect is unbearable. A number of these suicides are also a result of internet suicide pacts (particularly among young Japanese), who are "too lonely to die alone".
* Many Japanese women who remain single into their thirties often feel stigmatised and marginalised from society. These women are often referred to as 'makeinu' (which means loser, or more literally, 'losing dog'). This can often lead to dissociation from friendship groups and result in loneliness.
* Conversely, however, there is also an increasing number of Japanese (most notably, women) who are choosing not to get married and have children. But the reason for this is more to do with the negative perception of marriage amongst Japanese. Without meaning to be crass, a recent Japanese Ministry of Health survey found that as many as 1 in 3 marriages are sexless (or, to put it another way, lacking intimacy). A reason for this problem may be due to the abundance of ways in which a man can satisfy his sexual appetite in Japan; from porn vending machines to sensual bathing houses to prostitution. And this overt sexualisation isn't frowned upon by Japanese society; in fact, it's accepted as a part of everyday life.
* There are many young people who continue to live at home well beyond what would be considered to be a reasonable age to leave home. They are referred to as 'parasite singles'. They are often painfully shy and lack the social skills needed to survive independently. Many will rarely or ever leave the house or even the bedroom for extended periods (they are called 'hikikomori', or, roughly, 'pull inside'). It is suggested that there may be as many as 1 million hikikomori in Japan.
The most heartbreaking statistic of all is that the percentage of Christians in Japan is widely believed to be less than 1% (some say the rate is less than 0.5%), making Japan one of the largest unreached people groups in the world of one ethnicity and language.
Now, don't get me wrong...Japan is an amazing place!!! The positives of Japan definitely outweigh the negatives! But the reality is that an overwhelming majority of Japanese do not know about God and don't have a relationship with Jesus Christ.
So, that is why I am here. To bring the message of hope to a lost people. To share with people the extent of God's love and acceptance. To tell the Japanese people that Jesus came so "that they may have life, and have it to the full" (John 10:10).
But, of course, Japan is not the only part of the world where this message of hope needs to be shared. It needs to be shared EVERYWHERE. Even in India. Even in Africa. Even in London. Even in Brisbane. No matter where you, there is something that you can do to bring hope to the people of your community...right where you are!
But, for me (and at least for this season)....I'm bringing HOPE to the people of Japan.
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