Japanese in Portugal


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Portuguese were among the first Europeans to have contact with the Japanese. Portuguese merchants and Jesuit missionaries arrived in Japan roughly 500 years ago. Some of the merchants bought and sold Japanese slaves, which the missionaries recognized as a barrier to the gospel.

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).

At the end of WWII, Japan lay in ruins, but they soon emerged as an economic power. Today their economy is the third largest in the world. In order to keep their many multi-national corporations running the way they want them to, some Japanese employees have had to move to countries like Portugal.


Where Are they Located?

The vast majority of the Japanese live in Japan, but there is also a diaspora all over the world. The Japanese diaspora is especially strong in Brazil, Peru, Canada, and the US, but they are also in European countries like Portugal.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Today's Japanese diaspora is primarily professional and business-savvy. They have a strong work ethic, and they work 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 some of these art forms at local Buddhist temples while their husbands are at work. Christian women might have the opportunity to reach these Japanese housewives in their homes by bringing them the JESUS Film and the Magdalena Film.

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.


What Are Their Needs?

On the outside, the Japanese 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 for the Japanese to open their hearts to the claims of Jesus.
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 to faithfully pray for these precious people.
Pray for the Holy Spirit to birth a cascading discipleship movement among the Japanese in Europe for God's glory.


Scripture Prayers for the Japanese in Portugal.


References

https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/12322/PO
https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/12322/JA
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/
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g189100-i201-k929957-Japanese_community_in_Portugal-Portugal.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanban_trade
http://catavino.net/tempura-portugals-prized-gift-to-japan/


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 700
Population all Countries 119,869,000
Total Countries 48
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
People ID 12322
ROP3 Code 104189
ROP25 Code 303334
ROP25 Name Japanese
Country Portugal
Region Europe, Western
Continent Europe
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Country Portugal
Region Europe, Western
Continent Europe
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked

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Primary Religion: Buddhism
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
69.50 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.50 %)
1.50 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
5.00 %
Other / Small
24.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Japanese (700 speakers)
Language Code jpn   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Japanese (700 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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