A Christian's Pocket Guide to the Japanese

by OMF International

Globalisation means that increasingly we meet people from a wider variety of nations and cultures.
The manufacturing revolution that has seen Japan become one of the top industrialised nations in the world means that more Japanese people are travelling abroad and more people are travelling to Japan.
What should Christian's know about the Japanese? That question is answered by this book.
A Christian's Pocket Guide to the Japanese firstly looks at the history, culture and religions common in Japan - and their attitude to Christianity.
Secondly, it gives guidance on how to befriend Japanese people (including a life-saving 'Do's' and 'Don'ts' section) and thirdly how best to talk to them about Christianity itself.
There are also useful appendices with suggested further reading and how to lead a Bible study.
If you meet people from Japan at work, school or socially - or if you travel to Japan - then this is an invaluable book.

80 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2008

Reviews

[An Te · Rating 3 out of 5]

A helpful primer on what makes the Japanese a notorious challenge to engage with. It's mainly attributable to religious pluralism leading to syncretism. The culture is also expounded well. Winsomely written. Help resource index also.

[Judith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a replacement for OMF's booklet, “Making Friends with the Japanese,” by John Taylor & Hugh Trevor and ISI's booklet, “How to Share the Good News with your Japanese Friend,” by Mark Reasoner. A small booklet, it's available from Amazon or (in Japan) at the Christian bookstore in Ochanomizu. I recommend it to anyone coming to Japan on a short-term missions trip or to churches in the USA that are ministering to Japanese in their midst. It helpfully explains which biblical concepts tend to be difficult for people coming from the Japanese cultural context.