The Grisly Reason Only 1% of Japan Is Christian
A fraught history of violence, threats, and persecution
Countries surround Japan with millions of Christian adherents. The Philippines is the world’s fifth-largest Christian nation, with 93% of the population identifying with the faith. Korea’s population is 29% Christian. Even China, where Christianity is banned, has a 2.5% representation, with over 44 million suspected Christians practicing their faith illegally. By comparison, Japan is less than 1% Christian, with just 1.9 million people identifying with the faith.
As Christianity continues to become more entrenched in Japan’s neighboring countries, it flounders in Japan. But why? Why has Christianity struggled in Japan when it has succeeded in nearby places?
Christianity in Japan has a long and fraught history. The religion was banned for over 250 years, with Christians being prosecuted, deported, and even killed in large numbers under the Shogunate. The ripples extending outward from these events that took place hundreds of years ago continues to affect the culture in Japan today.
Christianity’s Arrival and Early Success
Christianity arrived in Japan in the belly of Portuguese ships. Revered missionary Francis Xavier (Xavier University’s…
