Japanese in American Samoa


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

Racially, culturally, and ethnically, the Japanese are one of the most homogenous people groups in the world. They identify themselves in terms of biological heritage, birth in Japan, a shared culture, and a common language (Japanese).

In general terms, there was an early Japanese diaspora, and a later one. The early one consisted of Japanese people who left Japan for low paying jobs, sometimes in near slave-like conditions. After Japan began to emerge as an economic power in the second half of the 20th century, there has been a different Japanese diaspora. Today many multi-national Japanese corporations send some of their staff to countries that they do business with.


Where Are they Located?

The majority of the Japanese live in Japan, but there is also a diaspora all over the world. In American Samoa, about two percent of the population is of Japanese ancestry, but there is little information about them.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Japanese have a strong work ethic, and they usually work very long hours. Frequently they have little social contact with the local population, and they speak mainly Japanese among themselves.

The uniqueness of Japanese culture can be seen in their art forms, which include the highly refined flower arrangements, calligraphy, puppetry, and theater. Typically Japanese housewives participate in these some of these art forms at a local Buddhist temple while their husbands are at work.

Traditional and Western forms of recreation include baseball, sumo wrestling, judo, karate, table tennis, fishing, volleyball, shogi (Japanese chess) and go (a complicated game of strategy). Gardening is a popular hobby for both men and women.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Japanese are usually both Buddhist and Shintoist. Many Japanese are indifferent and skeptical of established religion. Some treat religion as a means towards an end. But given the high number of Japanese-based religious groups, one can surmise that many Japanese are looking for some form of spirituality.

There is a higher ratio of Christians among the Japanese diaspora on American Samoa than there are in most other parts of the world.


What Are Their Needs?

On the outside, they seem to have few needs. However, many of them have become obsessed with materialistic pleasures, careers, and possessions. Their greatest need is to be introduced to the Father through His Son, Jesus Christ.


Prayer Points

Pray that Christian businessmen will have open doors to share the gospel with the Japanese.
Pray that Japanese believers will have opportunities to share the love of Jesus with their families and friends.
Pray that God will raise up teams of intercessors to stand in the gap for these precious people.
Ask the Lord to raise up strong disciple making movements among the Japanese in the Pacific Islands.


Scripture Prayers for the Japanese in American Samoa.


References

https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/12322/AQ
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/12322/JA
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Samoa
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2013/01/19/national/media-national/japans-growing-diaspora-reflects-concern-for-the-countrys-future/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_diaspora
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Japanese_diaspora
http://www.discovernikkei.org/en/journal/2014/9/3/japanese-diaspora-vietnam/


Profile Source:   Keith Carey  

People Name General Japanese
People Name in Country Japanese
Pronunciation jae-puh-NEEZ
Alternate Names Ko; Nihonjin; Nikkei; Wa; Wajin; Yamato; जपानीस
Population this Country 800
Population all Countries 119,869,000
Total Countries 48
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 12322
ROP3 Code 104189
ROP25 Code 303334
ROP25 Name Japanese

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Primary Religion: Buddhism
Religion Subdivision: Mahayana
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
70.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 1.00 %)
5.00 %
Ethnic Religions
16.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
4.00 %
Other / Small
5.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Japanese (800 speakers)
Language Code jpn   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Japanese (800 speakers)
Language Code jpn   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Japanese

Primary Language:  Japanese

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1837-1992)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1879-1993)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1883-2018)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Japanese Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Love letter to you from scripture Father's Love Letter
Film / Video LUMO film of Gospels Bible Media Group/LUMO
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video My Last Day video, anime Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
Film / Video The Hope Video Mars Hill Media
Film / Video World Christian Videos World Christian Videos
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Four Spiritual Laws Campus Crusade for Christ
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Japanese YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Japanese YouVersion Bibles
Text / Printed Matter Bible Gateway scripture Bible Gateway
Text / Printed Matter Cartoon Gospel tract General / Other
Text / Printed Matter Children and youth resources One Hope
Text / Printed Matter Tools for faith conversations Campus Crusade for Christ
Photo Source N-Y-C - Pixabay 
Profile Source Keith Carey 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.



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