Yonaguni in Japan

The Yonaguni have only been reported in Japan
Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

Yonaguni is an island as well as a language and a people group. It has closer ties to Okinawa than it does to Japan. After WWII, when food and other necessities were hard to come by, there was a thriving black market there. As Japan became more prosperous, and the black market diminished, people left Yonaguni.


Where Are they Located?

These people live either in Japan's westernmost island of Yonaguni or in Taiwan where some of them are going.


What Are Their Lives Like?

With its beautiful beaches, the Yonaguni people are dependent on the tourist industry. Many tourists come there to do scuba diving, especially in the winter. Jobs are scarce enough that many of the Yonaguni people are moving to other places, especially Taiwan. They are trying to bring in Taiwanese fishermen and tourists to strengthen their economy.

Their primary language is Yonaguni, but with such a small population, they also speak either Taiwanese or Japanese.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Yonaguni people are adherents of their own folk religion, blended in with elements of Buddhism and Shintoism.


What Are Their Needs?

The Yonaguni people need to find better ways to earn a living in their small island homeland.


Prayer Points

Pray for Holy Spirit anointed believers from the Yonaguni people in Japan to change their society from within.
Pray for a movement in which the Holy Spirit leads and empowers Yonaguni disciples to make more disciples.
Pray for a movement of Jesus to heal and strengthen Yonaguni communities.


Scripture Prayers for the Yonaguni in Japan.


References

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2008/10/09/national/yonaguni-looks-to-taiwan-to-survive/#.XGYLOy2ZNds
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yonaguni_Monument
https://www.peoplegroups.org/explore/GroupDetails.aspx?peid=7580


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Yonaguni
People Name in Country Yonaguni
Pronunciation yoh-nah-GOO-nee
Alternate Names
Population this Country 800
Population all Countries 800
Total Countries 1
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 16052
ROP3 Code 111089
Country Japan
Region Asia, Northeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Southern Okinawa; Yonaguni island.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Japan
Region Asia, Northeast
Continent Asia
10/40 Window Yes
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Southern Okinawa; Yonaguni island..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Map of Yonaguni in Japan
Primary Religion: Buddhism
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
99.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.00 %)
1.00 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Yonaguni (800 speakers)
Language Code yoi   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Unknown
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Yonaguni (800 speakers)
Language Code yoi   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Yonaguni

Primary Language:  Yonaguni

Bible Translation Status:  Unspecified

Resource Type Resource Name Source
None reported  
Photo Source (Representative photo)
Ketut Subiyanto - Pexels  Creative Commons 
Map Source People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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