Prayer Points

IMF Calls on Japan to Stay the Course with Interest Rate Increases February 19, 2026 JAPAN: The International Monetary Fund has urged Japan to continue its gradual interest rate hikes as it navigates rising inflation and long-term fiscal pressures. Officials believe steady policy tightening is necessary to stabilize prices after decades of ultra-low inflation. The Continue Reading Yen Slides to 154 Range After Robust U.S. Jobs Report February 12, 2026 JAPAN: The Japanese yen briefly weakened to the upper 154 range against the U.S. dollar following stronger-than-expected U.S. jobs data. Solid employment figures reinforced expectations that the Federal Reserve may keep interest rates higher for longer. The widening gap between Continue Reading Yen Slides for Fourth Day as Japan’s Elections Loom February 5, 2026 JAPAN: The Japanese yen weakened for a fourth consecutive day as markets grew cautious ahead of the country’s upcoming elections. Investors appear uncertain about future fiscal and monetary policy direction, adding pressure to the currency. Expectations of continued loose monetary Continue Reading Japan’s Trade Gap Deepens as Deficits Stretch into a Fifth Year January 22, 2026 JAPAN: Japan has posted its fifth consecutive annual trade deficit, highlighting ongoing pressure on the world’s third-largest economy. Rising import costs especially for energy and raw materials have continued to outweigh export growth. A weaker yen has made imports more Continue Reading Japanese Police Say More Than Half of Deepfakes Targeting Minors Are Created by Schoolmates December 18, 2025 JAPAN: According to data from the National Police Agency, more than half of the reported cases of explicit deepfakes targeting individuals under 18 in Japan involved students from the same schools as the victims. This marks the first time the Continue Reading China and Japan Vessels Face Off Near Disputed Islands as Tensions Escalate December 4, 2025 JAPAN: The coast guards of China and Japan have reported different versions of an encounter that took place near a group of islands in the East China Sea, which are important for both countries. On Tuesday, China's Coast Guard stated Continue Reading Support Groups Protest Proposed Crackdown on Foreigners November 27, 2025 JAPAN: Representatives and members of organizations that support foreign nationals in Japan held a rally inside a Tokyo parliament building to protest against xenophobia and the efforts to impose stricter rules on foreigners. The participants, which included the Solidarity Network Continue Reading Takaichi Arrives in South Korea for First Summit Talks with President Lee October 30, 2025 Continue Reading Japan Joins Ranks of Over 80 Nations Led by Women Since World War II October 23, 2025 Continue Reading Race for Prime Minister Heats Up Amid Deepening Coalition Divisions October 16, 2025 JAPAN: Komeito's exit from the ruling coalition has added more uncertainty to Japan's political scene, with focus now shifting to the prime minister selection vote that is set to happen in the Diet next week. Koichi, the new president of Continue Reading Typhoon Slams Japan’s Izu Islands October 9, 2025
[fusion_builder_column type="1_1" layout="1_1" background_position="left top" background_color="" border_color="" border_style="solid" border_position="all" spacing="yes"
Continue Reading
Japan, South Korea Close to Finalizing Defense Minister Exchange Deal September 5, 2025 JAPAN: The governments of Japan and South Korea are close to finalizing a deal that would allow their defense ministers to visit each other and have regular talks between defense officials, according to The Yomiuri Shimbun. Defense Minister Gen Nakatani Continue Reading Japan Seizes Record 1 Ton of Cannabis Worth ¥5.2 Billion August 14, 2025 JAPAN: Japanese narcotics agents have taken 1.046 tons of cannabis, valued at around 5.2 billion yen ($35 million), in the biggest single drug bust in Japan's history. The Narcotics Control Department of the Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare arrested Continue Reading 29-Year-Old Man Arrested for Assaulting Grandparents with Tool August 7, 2025 JAPAN: Police in Osaki City, Miyagi Prefecture, have taken a 29-year-old man, who is unemployed, into custody for allegedly trying to kill his grandparents, who are both in their 80s, by striking them with a tool. Takahashi lives in a Continue Reading Crown Prince Akishino and Family Carry On Legacy with Okinawa Child Reporters – Following Emperor Emeritus' Traditions August 1, 2025 JAPAN: Students from elementary and junior high schools in Okinawa Prefecture had the chance to act like journalists when they met Crown Prince Akishino and his family for 30 minutes in Tokyo. This meeting took place at the East residence Continue Reading EU and Japan Pledge Joint Action to Bolster Free Trade and Economic Security July 24, 2025 JAPAN: Leaders from the European Union and Japan have formed an alliance to enhance economic collaboration, promote free trade, and combat unfair trade practices, as both regions encounter increasing challenges from the United States and China. They also expressed their Continue Reading From Stalking to Death Threats: Female Candidates Continue to Face Harassment July 17, 2025 Japan: Female candidates in the Upper House election are encountering various types of harassment from voters and supporters, including stalking, death threats, and excessively long handshakes and hugs. This issue poses a significant challenge as Japan strives to boost the Continue Reading Lucifer’s Japanese Street Gang Holds Formal Disbandment Ceremony at Police Station July 11, 2025 Japan: Approximately 30 members of the Lucifers street gang voluntarily entered the Atsuta Ward police station in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, to officially disband the gang. Established in the mid-1990s, the gang operated in Atsuta Ward and grew to around 500 Continue Reading Campaigning Kicks Off for Japan's Upper House Election July 4, 2025 Japan: Official campaigning for the House of Councillors election in Japan began on Thursday, set for July 20. This election is a significant challenge for Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and his minority government as citizens face increasing living costs. Ishiba Continue Reading Japan Work-Related Mental Illness Cases Top 1,000; Record for 6th Year June 27, 2025 Japan: In Japan, the number of work-related mental disorder cases increased by 172 in fiscal 2024, reaching a total of 1,055, which is the highest figure recorded for the sixth consecutive year, according to the government. Harassment from superiors was Continue Reading Japan Issues Heatstroke Alerts as Temperatures Soar June 21, 2025 Japan: Extreme temperatures led to heatstroke warnings in various areas of Japan, with many individuals requiring emergency medical assistance in Tokyo. The scorching weather has dominated news coverage in the country, which faced its hottest summer on record last year, Continue Reading Japan’s Opposition Expected to Drop No-Confidence Motion, Dual Elections Unlikely June 12, 2025 Japan: Japan's main opposition party is inclined to refrain from introducing a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's cabinet, which would lead to simultaneous elections in the Diet. This political maneuvering occurs as Ishiba's minority government faces pressure to Continue Reading Japan Shifts Focus to Rehabilitation in Prison Reform Efforts June 5, 2025 Japan: After more than a hundred years, Japan has revamped its prison system with new regulations that prioritize rehabilitation rather than punishment in an effort to address the country's high rates of reoffending. This reform, which has been implemented for Continue Reading Niigata Students Explore Agriculture and Climate Change in Texas Exchange Program May 30, 2025 Japan: In March, ten university students from Niigata Prefecture traveled to Texas to explore agriculture and climate change as part of a Japan-U.S. exchange program. During their six-day visit, the Japanese students collaborated with their Texan counterparts. The Texas students Continue Reading Historian Yuval Noah Harari and Yomiuri Shimbun President Discuss Newspapers’ Role in the AI Era April 5, 2025 Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is gaining significant attention, and there is an increasing interest in harnessing its advantages. However, are there potential risks involved? On March 16, prominent Israeli historian Yuval Noah Harari and Toshikazu Yamaguchi, president of The Yomiuri Shimbun Continue Reading

Country Information

126.3 million POPULATION Not Ranked PERSECUTION RANKING SHINTOISM DOMINANT RELIGION Day 4 Pray For Japan keyboard_arrow_left keyboard_arrow_right 25,800 close Japan is one of the largest economies and commands immense regional influence. Yet, the social aspects of this Asian economic powerhouse are frail. REFUGEES 16% POPULATION BELOW POVERTY LINE 84.74 yrs LIFE EXPECTANCY 99% LITERACY RATE Day 4 Pray for Japan keyboard_arrow_left keyboard_arrow_right

Japan is an island nation in East Asia and has a rich history that spans thousands of years. From the Jōmon and Yayoi periods to the rise of the samurai and shogunate systems, Japan developed a distinct culture marked by art, literature, ritual, and philosophy. Its society has long emphasized harmony, respect, and community. Traditional practices such as tea ceremonies, calligraphy, and martial arts coexist alongside modern technological and pop culture innovations.

Christianity arrived in Japan in the 16th century through the efforts of Jesuit missionaries like Francis Xavier, who introduced the Gospel to a nation influenced mainly by Shintoism and Buddhism. Over time, Christianity faced persecution, especially during the Tokugawa shogunate, where Christian Believers were executed or forced underground.

Today, Christian leaders continue to work to nurture faith. Still, Japanese Christian teenagers face challenges such as peer pressure, societal secularism, and the dominance of materialism. Disunity among Christians has emerged from denominational fragmentation, cultural misunderstandings, and a lack of strong mentorship. To prevent the extinction of Christianity in Japan, Believers must embrace biblical principles such as genuine love for one another, fellowship, steadfast faith, and active discipleship, fostering unity and spiritual growth.