What No One Tells You About Christianity in Japan

Japan is a country full of beauty and brokenness. Natural disasters, wars, a loneliness epidemic, and an aging population all bring unique challenges to this nation and yet, it’s hard not to see the beauty born out of it, as well. In this episode of Hard to Reach: Japan, Steven Morales explores how beauty and brokenness in Japan point to a Beautiful Creator who was broken for us.

03:36 - Number is 2,100. Apologies!

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Japan is Beautiful
00:52 Art, Anime, and Stories
1:51 Japan Is Broken
4:40 Beauty in the Brokenness: Ayaka’s Story
9:06 A Broken Christ

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FEATURING
Steven Morales

[chowder]

I wish there were Japanese subtitles so my family who are Japanese and live in Japan could watch and understand these video contents.

[telecinetohoku]

👏 👏 👏 As an independent missionary serving here in Japan (who also happens to like video) this entire series has been excellently done and it is a reminder to me not to lose the focus of why I am here!

[johntheslider]

Something that I notice is that the beauty in those who have suffered isn't in the suffering itself, but rather in the healing from it. A person who sins is not beautiful because of their sin, but one who has been healed from their sin--that is beautiful. No one finds a wound beautiful, but a scar can be.

[aaronbarkley]

This video production is amazing not just from a Christian media standpoint (which is usually horrible) but from just a media standpoint in general. This is my first video but man yall gotta keep making these cause they're great.

[takudzwamashamba]

I stay in China, and I do the work of God here. However, the Chinese converts I’ve met (2 in 3 Christians) met Christ when they went abroad. Why am I sharing this? You might feel you need to be in Japan to save the Japanese, but if you look around you, in your schools, there are a lot of these oriental souls. Preach to them, share the gospel with them. They are often the vessels that will return to their own people and share this gospel with them. That is what noticed about the Chinese souls who preach and serve God here, most had time abroad got saved there, returned and are doing a lot for God here.

[DanielaCrenshaw]

Jesus is interceding for Japan! My church in Nigeria led intercession months ago and one of the countries God gave me a burden for was Japan. I get such heavy innerwitnesses when I intercede for Japan. Your brothers and sisters in Christ see you in the spirit and are praying for you Japan! I pray I get to travel there one day.

[onebro]

지금 일본에 살고 있는 한국인입니다. 교회에서 하는 훈련 때문에 래디컬 책을 읽고 책에 쓰여진 래디컬 홈페이지를 들어왔는데 일본에 대한 귀한 영상이 있네요. 래디컬 실험에 있는 "당신을 필요로 하는 낯선 곳에 가서 섬기라." 이 곳이 저에게는 바로 일본인거 같네요. 하나님이 이 곳에서 열심히 복음 전하라고 하시는 거 같아 참 감사합니다. 모두들 일본을 위해, 일본 영혼들을 위해 기도해 주세요.

[vivibenavidez]

"Our search for beauty points to a search for the creator of beauty". Amazing.

[TrixStix]

As a soon to be 18 year old missionary in Japan, I really appreciate these videos. I try to find 1 Christian video on Japan a day-which is actually seemingly hard. And I've really appreciated your 3 episode series. Thankyou, and God Bless!

Ps:I'm devoting my life to save Japan.

[andrew-hvhv]

That lady is so articulate and sounds so at peace

[heathergibson]

As a writer, the statement to not try to conquer your art spoke directly to my heart! When I submit to my Creator in imitation of Him, the creativity just flows . . .

[-mey]

" A broken world is healed by a broken Christ on a broken tree" ❤ so beautiful

[Towkeeyoh]

These Japan videos are so well made, well shot, yet the most beautiful aspect is the message it conveys and reveals, especially for outsiders who love Japan and looking into Japan. Shedding a light into the lives and society there, all while bookending the video with hope!

[Herghun]

Nobody is talking about how good the edit is??? This is a really beautiful video !

[sojourner]

I've never been to Japan, but my son and I have researched Japan for years, and one day hope to visit. It's a beautiful people and this video brought so much to light. I loved the words of the artist about beauty coming out of brokeness. That is the gospel in a nutshell. I will pray for the people of Japan.

[Yesica]

The culture does seem to be so very artistic. The paintings, the classic clothing, the classic architecture, etc. Even in modern times, basic things like the way products are wrapped become something beautiful. I love that about Japan. Even their written language is visually beautiful, even if you can't read it. Prayers for Ayaka! She seems like such a lovely lady.

[natv]

I’m not sure why this series crossed my path but I’m so glad it has. Last year or the year before the Lord gave me a word for Japan when I asked (I’m American) so I’m going to go back and revisit what He said.

Thanks for making this…looking forward to catching up on the others. God bless you!

[C.A.S]

I went back to watching anime and I realized the amount of suffering in these animes, but they were always trying to find something to fill the gap of loss and suffering. If it was revenge, righteousness, love, protection and the more I see this in anime I realize the missing piece in these stories is Jesus. Pray that Jesus can pour his spirit on these people's lives in Japan.

[theeotakufam]

It's amazing how anime is so relatable. As a Christian you would be surprised how it can relate to the bible and biblical teachings. We have a Jesus and Anime Group at our church with almost 50 people! It's fascinating to me! It saddens me to see the trauma that Japan has been through, ironically enough, Anime has blessed me in so many ways. Hopefully with my group or other avenue, people can spread the love of God. Whether through Anime or other art.

[GodFirstnl]

THIS SERIES IS PHENOMENAL! I'm watching from The Netherlands. A good friend of mine is a missionary in Tokyo. So good that you bring the situation in Japan to light! Hope it inspires a new generation of missionaries to Japan!