Christianity was first preached in Japan in 1549 by Francis Xavier. a Catholic Jesuit priest. That was an age when Japan was full of internal strife and war, but in 50 years it is said that almost half a million Japanese became Christians.

But when, after a time, Japan entered an age of more unity, Christian teaching was prohibited, the country entered a period of isolation, and many Christians were killed for their faith.

The next time Christianity was preached in Japan was after the country was reopened to the outside world in 1859. During the 19th century foreign missionaries came to Japan from the Roman Catholic church,the Orthodox church. and from various protestant denominations. telling the good news about Jesus and establishing churches.

But after 1890 the Emporer became the holy head of state in Japan. thecountry strove to become rich and prosperous, and Japan followed a path to unified management and control of ideology and education. And then, during World War Il, the church was forced to cooperate with the state.

In 1945, with defeat in war, a new era of religious freedom came to Japan. From Europe and North America many missionaries came. The Japanese church recovered the essence of the gospel and reformed the relationship between church and state. But in spite of that fresh start,today,with traditional religion and customs in family life and public observances, Japanese evangelism is difficult, and Christians don't exceed 1% of the population.

Currently the Japanese church sends missionaries all over the world and also works in education and social welfare. Recently, as many foreign workers have come to Japan from Southeast Asia. the Middle East and South America. the Japanese church's international responsibility has become heavier and heavier. Also in recent years interdenominational mutual understanding and cooperation have flourished.