Angel Alcantar

Japan is one of the most spiritually unreached countries in the world. Despite being home to more than 125 million people, fewer than 0.7% identify as Christian (it was 1% in 2019), and an even smaller percentage associate with the churches of Christ. Most Japanese people will go their entire lives without reading the Bible, attending a worship service, or even meeting a Christian.

Christianity was first introduced to Japan in the 1500s, but the modern restoration movement, including the churches of Christ, began to take root in the late 1800s. In 1892, J. M. McCaleb became the first missionary from the American churches of Christ to move to Japan. He spent decades evangelizing, translating Christian literature, and helping plant small congregations throughout the country. His influence helped shape the early identity of the churches of Christ in Japan, and many congregations today can trace their roots back to his efforts or those who followed after him.

Despite this early momentum, growth has been extremely slow. Cultural and religious traditions—such as Shinto practices, ancestor veneration, and group-based social identity—can make Christianity feel unfamiliar or even incompatible to many Japanese people. Religion in Japan is generally seen as private and inherited, not something one chooses individually. Moreover, many Japanese associate Christianity with Western culture or cult activity, which leads to misunderstandings and suspicion. Public discussions about religion are rare, and there is a strong emphasis on social harmony, which discourages open disagreement or religious debate.

Within the churches of Christ, the situation is especially difficult. The number of congregations is small, and many of them are struggling. Most congregations have no elders, no full-time preacher, and only a handful of aging members. The average congregation has fewer than 10 people in attendance. To date, only one congregation in Japan has an eldership. In cities where churches do exist, they often meet only once per week, and outreach efforts are limited due to lack of resources or personnel. Some congregations have already closed due to age and decline, and others may not be far behind unless something changes.

One such place is the Ohiwa congregation, in Shizuoka City. The congregation there currently has no active members. The goal of our team is to replant the church in this location: to build relationships, teach the gospel, and, over time, help raise up local leadership for a self-supporting congregation.

While Japan is often considered a safe and developed country, its spiritual need is very real. The lack of exposure to Christianity—not resistance to it—is one of the biggest barriers. Many Japanese people are simply unaware of what the Bible teaches. That’s why long-term mission work is so important. It takes time to learn the language, understand the culture, build trust, and walk alongside people as they come to know Christ.

This is why I’m preparing to go. With a team-based approach and a long-term vision, our goal is not just to start something temporarily—but to reestablish a faithful congregation that can endure and grow long after we’re gone.