Japan, by many accounts, is considered to be the world’s second largest unreached people group. Less than 1% of the population knows the transformative power of having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and despite a long history of encountering Christianity, there has been fierce resistance. Japanese Christians face the pain of being ostracized and outcast by their families and society that culturally identify with Shintoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism. The average church body has around 30 people, with 1 church for approximately 16,000 people. More than half of Japanese pastors are over the age of 50, with an increasing number of churches having no pastor at all. Japan has often been dubbed as a missionary’s graveyard, as many do not stay long term - it is truly that difficult to share, accept, and live out the Gospel. 

The difficulties that Japanese Christians face are part of larger societal problems in Japan. The beautiful landscape, delicious food, rich culture, impeccable infrastructure, and polite nature of locals bely the darkness that lies just beneath the surface. 70 people commit suicide each day; over 1 million people do not leave their homes and live in poor conditions; bullying occurs in many areas of society and is even encouraged; homelessness is often hidden and stigmatized; family life can be extremely formal with minimal contact and affection shown; women and children are sexualized; many people struggle with loneliness and hopelessness in a culture that enforces self-suffiency, collectivism, and putting on a mask for others; and the country is prone to natural disasters. 

There are so many personal, emotional, spiritual, and physical needs in Japan that it can be overwhelming to even think about where to start serving others! Throughout my own personal journey to Japan, I wondered how I could combine skills in librarianship and administration, appreciation of the arts, and interests in reconciliation between Japan and other Asian countries that were harmed by the Japanese during WWII. During graduate school, I was tasked with brainstorming my ideal workplace, and I generated this idea with Japan in mind:

“My ideal work environment is an educational and cultural institution that promotes the training and equipping of the next generations of innovative cross-cultural ministry leaders in and to Japan. It would also utilize the expertise of information professionals and leaders to back up the work and vision of these cross-cultural ministry leaders and organizations.”

After I had met Craig Chapin, the academic dean of CBI, I remembered what I had written, and it suddenly dawned on me that perhaps my dream workplace actually existed! Also around this time, my pastor had connected me with a team member who just so happened to also work at CBI, and I was introduced to the arts ministry near CBI as well, Gallery Nani. As I was conducting more research on CBI, I stumbled across Michael Oh’s testimony of how he founded the organization. He shared how during his own graduate studies, focused on the atrocities committed by the Japanese against Koreans, he felt convicted to “forgive his enemies” and was led to start a seminary with Japanese pastors, leading to the creation of CBI. Upon realizing how CBI and Gallery Nani embodied every intricate detail of what was placed in my heart for how to meet the various needs of the Japanese, I knew that these ministries were a burning bush in my life and that the Lord had provided perfect provision for me to begin service in Japan in Nagoya.