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. Those countries include Sri Lanka. There is very little information about the Japanese in Sri Lanka.
The majority of the Japanese live in Japan, but there is also a diaspora all over the world, including Sri Lanka.
The Japanese people who go to Sri Lanka usually go as tourists, but some stay long term working for Japanese corporations. The Japanese have a strong work ethic, and they often work very long hours. They speak mainly Japanese among themselves and have little social contact with the local population.
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 some of these art forms at local Buddhist temples 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.
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.
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.
Pray that Japanese believers in Sri Lanka will have opportunities to share the love of Jesus with their families and friends.
Pray that Christian radio and television broadcasts will be effective in reaching the Japanese diaspora.
Pray that God will raise up teams of intercessors to stand in the gap for these precious people.
Ask the Lord to raise up a strong disciple making movement among the Japanese diaspora.
Scripture Prayers for the Japanese in Sri Lanka.
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/12322/CQ
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/12322/JA
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_people_in_Sri_Lanka
Profile Source: Keith Carey |
Global Prayer Digest: 2010-09-13 |
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 | 2,400 |
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 |
Country | Sri Lanka | |||||||||
Region | Asia, South | |||||||||
Continent | Asia | |||||||||
10/40 Window | Yes | |||||||||
National Bible Society | Website | |||||||||
Persecution Rank | Not ranked | |||||||||
Total States on file | 9 | |||||||||
Largest States |
|
Country | Sri Lanka |
Region | Asia, South |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | Not ranked |
Total States | 9 |
Western 900 | |
Central 400 | |
Southern 300 | |
North Western 200 | |
Eastern 200 | |
Sabaragamuwa 100 | |
Northern 80 | |
North Central 70 | |
Uva 60 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Religion: | Buddhism |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent * |
---|---|
Buddhism |
75.19 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical Unknown) |
2.87 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
0.00 %
|
Islam |
0.00 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.00 %
|
Unknown |
21.94 %
|
* From latest Sri Lanka census data. Current Christian values may substantially differ. |
Primary Language | Japanese (2,400 speakers) |
Language Code | jpn Ethnologue Listing |
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing |
Total Languages | 1 |
Primary Language | Japanese (2,400 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) |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Photo Source | Trung Nguyễn Xuân - Pixabay |
Map Source | People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project |
Profile Source | Keith Carey |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |