Based on his first trip through Japan in late 2025 from Greater Tokyo to Sapporo, meeting OMF workers who partner with the Japanese church, Chris Watts hosts "Uncovering Japan".
He highlights the surprising need for cross-cultural Christian workers in a highly developed country of about 126 million, where only around 0.5% identify as Christian, and numbers may be shrinking. Conversations in Tokyo, Sendai, and beyond explore Japan's beauty, seasonal celebrations, safety, convenience, and reliability, as well as what drew OMF workers to come here: awareness of Japan's low gospel exposure, perceived loneliness and hopelessness, and places with no church.
Meg, Roz, AJ, and John describe their callings and challenges, including difficulty connecting with people and hidden issues in Japan, and the importance of prayer and partnership.
Visit our website for resources and more information on OMF Japan
00:00 Welcome to Uncovering Japan
01:40 Why Japan Needs Missionaries
03:03 Meg in Tokyo
05:07 What They Love About Japan
07:51 Why They Came to Japan
10:16 Stories From Roz and AJ
12:04 John's Call to Serve
13:52 Beneath Japan's Picture Postcard Image
17:24 Gospel Barriers and Apathy
19:22 Next Episode and Resources
Sounds from https://freesound.org/
Shinkansen announcements arriving in Sendai from Morioka by hoshisato -- https://freesound.org/s/822623/ -- License: Creative Commons 0
Announcement train accelerating Tokyo japan next station Nihombashi edlarez vsnr.wav by visionear -- https://freesound.org/s/624298/ -- License: Creative Commons 0
