150th Aniversary of Japanese Protestant Church

Today Christians living in Japan commemorate the 150th anniversary of Protestant mission in Japan. Our church members attended the celebration in Yokohama, where around 5000 people gathered. Ever since the Jesuit priest Francis Xavier arrived in Japan in the 16th century, Christianity in Japan has experienced many ups and downs. Now only less than 1% (0.1%??) of Japanese are Christians, a small number compared to South Korea. The speakers seem to acknowledge that a large part is due to the deep schisms within the church itself, with its myriad of denominations eager to expose on their differences, which in turn creates all sorts of confusion. It is simply hubris to think that one can have relationship with the divine but yet does not care about people living under the other roof. However, I think that the biggest concern to the church in Japan is that fewer young people are going to church. It is up to the Japanese church itself to find its own identity and adapt to the currents of time.