Japanese

The languages spoken by the native peoples of the insular country of Japan at present and during recorded history belong to either of two primary phyla of human language:
* Japonic languages
* Ainu languages

In addition to these two indigenous language families, there are significant minorities of ethnic Koreans and Chinese in modern Japan, who respectively constitute approximately 0.5% and 0.4% of the country's population and many of whom continue to speak their respective ethnic language in private contexts. There is also a notable history of use of Kanbun (Classical Chinese) as a language of literature and diplomacy in Japan, similar to the status of the Latin language in medieval Europe, which has left an indelible mark on the vocabulary of the Japanese language. Kanbun continues to be a mandatory subject in the curricula of most Japanese secondary schools even today.

The Japanese people (日本人, Nihonjin, Nipponjin?) are the predominant ethnic group of Japan.[1][2][3][4][5] Worldwide, approximately 130 million people are of Japanese descent; of these, approximately 127 million are residents of Japan. People of Japanese ancestry who live in other countries are referred to as nikkeijin (日系人, nikkeijin?). The term "Japanese people" may also be used in some contexts to refer to a locus of ethnic groups including the Yamato people, Ainu people, and Ryukyuans.

Religion

Japanese religion has traditionally been syncretic in nature, combining elements of Buddhism and Shinto. Shinto, a polytheistic religion with no book of religious canon, is Japan's native folk religion. Shinto was one of the traditional grounds for the right to the throne of the Japanese imperial family, and was codified as the state religion in 1868 (State Shinto was abolished by the American occupation in 1945). Mahayana Buddhism came to Japan in the sixth century and evolved into many different sects. Today the largest form of Buddhism among Japanese people is the Jodo Shinshu sect founded by Shinran.

Most Japanese people (84% to 96%)[7] profess to believe in both Shinto and Buddhism. The Japanese people's religious concerns are mostly directed towards mythology, traditions, and neighborhood activities rather than as the single source of moral guidelines for one's life. Confucianism or Taoism is sometimes considered the basis for morality.

"Christian" Warlords

As early as 1562, Lord Omura Sumitada had already been converted. He waged war against Buddhist monks and destroyed Buddhist temples within his territory in Kyushu, and forced people to turn into Catholics on pain of death. That's how the Jesuits could present us with awesome numbers of 'Japanese Christians' in 16th and 17th century; 99% of which was nothing but fakers.



Japanese Living Bible

This IBS translation of the Bible is for the Japanese language. This translation uses an informal language style and applies a meaning-based translation philosophy. It is translated from the biblical languages and was completed in 1977.
http://www.ibsstl.org/bibles/japanese

Bilingual japanese bibles:
http://www.wlpm.or.jp/english/index_bi.htm

Modern Christianity in Japan
http://www.gospeljapan.com/
http://www.jbible.net/jcbr/

http://graphics.jesuscom.net/
http://www.jesuscom.net/








KGK evangelical student movement.

Japan Bible Society




World Vision JP.
Christian Academy in Japan:

Articles:

A Japanese man retired from a career with an international trading company, which had allowed him to encounter the major world religions and know believers of many faiths. Though his family's religion was Buddhism, he was feeling inclined toward Christian faith. Then one day he met two young American missionaries at a commuter train station in what seemed like a divine appointment. He began to study with the young missionaries, not realizing that they taught the heretical doctrines of Mormonism, not biblical Christianity. About a week before his scheduled baptism into the cult, the man met mission volunteers from the United States at the same commuter train station. In meetings with one team member, he began to understand biblical Christianity. Within a few weeks, he invited Jesus into his life. Pray that this new believer will grow in his faith and reach his family and friends for Christ. Ask God to protect seekers like him from false teachings and lead them to the true gospel of Christ. Pray that Japanese Christians will boldly share the gospel so every Japanese person will have a meaningful opportunity to accept and follow Jesus.   http://www.impactjapan.org, March 2004

About 2,000 young people converged on Aoyama Gakuin, a university near one of Tokyo's major downtown areas, for the "Send Me" conference August 13-15. Sponsored by the Japanese Evangelical Association, this event is similar to the Urbana conference held in the U.S. every three years. Lively chorus singing launched each session, including original songs composed for the event. The highlight came in the evening sessions as Japanese speakers challenged young people to serve God anywhere He leads. Many raised their hands at the closing session to indicate a willing response to the Lord. Five Japanese missionaries from SIM who serve among Muslims in Tanzania, Niger and a country in South Asia held workshops presenting a broad portrait of what life is like on the mission field. In an age when the face of missions is increasingly non-Western, this groundbreaking event in Japan represents a trend in global missions as SIM missionaries now represent 36 nationalities with an increasing number coming from Southeast Asia. Many of the non-Western missionaries are also willing to serve in the most difficult fields where sharing Jesus may invoke heavy repercussions.  SIM, September, 2003
Read more:
http://www.backtojerusalem.com/News%20from%20the%20Front%20Lines/Japan.htm