Japanese Macaque
These snow monkeys are famous for soaking in natural hot springs during winter, making them one of the only non-human primates known to do so.
Flag of Japan
Field Report
Japan is an island nation in the Pacific Ocean, off the eastern coast of Asia, made up of thousands of islands with mountains, forests, and bustling cities like Tokyo, one of the largest cities in the world. More than 125 million people live there, with a rich history of art, food, and craftsmanship stretching back thousands of years. Even though Japan has a small number of Christians, most people there have never had a close friend who follows Jesus, which makes it one of the most important places in the world to pray for.
From the Field Notebook
Japanese Macaque
These snow monkeys are famous for soaking in natural hot springs during winter, making them one of the only non-human primates known to do so.
Red-crowned Crane
One of the rarest cranes in the world, this large white bird with a bright red cap is considered a symbol of long life in Japanese culture.
Japanese Giant Salamander
Growing up to five feet long, this ancient amphibian lives in cold, clear mountain streams in Japan and is one of the largest salamanders on Earth.
Ramen
A rich noodle soup with broth, meat, and toppings like soft-boiled eggs, ramen varies by region and is eaten by people of all ages almost every day across Japan.
Onigiri
These handheld rice triangles wrapped in seaweed are a common quick meal or snack, often filled with salmon, pickled plum, or tuna.
Taiyaki
A fish-shaped waffle cake filled with sweet red bean paste, taiyaki is a popular street food with a crispy outside and warm, soft inside.
Japan is made up of more than 14,000 islands, though most people live on just four of them: Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu, and Shikoku.
Japan experiences around 1,500 earthquakes every year — most too small to feel, but enough that buildings are specially designed to sway without falling.
The world's oldest company is Japanese: a construction firm called Kongo Gumi operated continuously for over 1,400 years before closing in 2006.
Vending machines in Japan sell everything from hot soup and fresh eggs to neckties and umbrellas, and there is roughly one machine for every 23 people.
Japan's bullet trains, called Shinkansen, travel at speeds over 200 miles per hour and are so precisely on time that delays of even one minute are officially recorded and apologized for.
Daily Life
84
Years life expectancy
100%
Kids go to school
Missions Field Report
Japan is home to 43 distinct people groups — 28 of them haven’t yet heard about Jesus.
A majority of Japan's people follow Buddhism (68.4%). Less than 1% of people in Japan are Evangelical Christians.
What People Believe
Unreached People Groups
These are communities of people who haven’t had the chance to hear about Jesus yet. They need missionaries — and they need kids like you to pray for them.
Japanese
117,756,000 people
Okinawan, Ryukyuan
1,151,000 people
Burakumin
864,000 people
Deaf
126,000 people
Eurasian
123,000 people
Prayer Journal
Tick each one as you pray. God hears every word.