Michael Brooks
Catholicism in Japan has had a long and tumultuous history, from its introduction by Jesuit missionaries in the 1540s to state suppression and bans in the 17th century. Today, the Catholic community in Japan is small, with approximately 431,100 Catholics as of 2021, comprising about 0.34% of the total population. In Tokyo, the presence of Catholic educational institutions, such as the Jesuit Sophia University, and historical events like the first pontiff visit in decades by Pope Francis in 2019, indicate a small but close-knit Catholic community.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of Catholics in Japan | 0.34% (approximately 431,100 people) |
| Number of Catholic clerics, religious and seminarians in Japan | 6,200 |
| Number of Catholic dioceses in Japan | 15 |
| Number of Japanese metropolitan archdioceses | 3 |
| Number of Catholic bishops in Japan | 34 |
| Number of Catholic priests in Japan | 1,235 |
| Number of Catholic deacons in Japan | 40 |
| Number of Catholic churches, parishes, quasi-parishes, mission stations and assembly centres in Japan | 957 |
| Number of Catholic educational institutions in Japan | 828 |
| Number of Catholic universities in Japan | 3 |
| Number of Catholic universities in Japan that are highly ranked | 1 (Sophia University) |
| Number of Catholic universities in Japan receiving financial assistance from the Japanese government | 1 (Sophia University) |
| Number of Japanese martyrs recognised by the Catholic Church | 1 (Peter Martinez) |
| Number of Japanese missionaries working abroad in the early 20th century | 1 (Domingos Chohachi Nakamura) |
| Number of reported cases of sex abuse involving the Catholic Church in Japan | 1 (in the 1960s) |
| Number of Japanese Catholics who are ethnic Japanese from Brazil and Peru and naturalized Filipino Japanese | N/A |
| Number of Japanese Catholics who are close to God's Sacred Heart | N/A |
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What You'll Learn
- Catholicism was introduced to Japan by the Jesuits in the 1540s
- Catholicism was banned in Japan in 1565, 1568, 1587, and 1620
- The Catholic community in Japan is small but close-knit
- The Catholic Church in Japan operates 828 educational institutions
- The Jesuit Sophia University in Chiyoda, Tokyo is considered one of the top private universities in Japan
Catholicism was introduced to Japan by the Jesuits in the 1540s
The Jesuits initially struggled to preach due to the language barrier, but with the help of translators, Francis Xavier composed a Japanese catechism of basic Catholic doctrine in 1550. Their presence was tolerated by the local warlord, Shimazu Takahisa, who hoped their presence would aid in attracting Portuguese traders to his province. The Jesuits believed that it was most effective to seek to influence people in power and have the religion spread from them to the commoners. This strategy proved successful, and they gained several thousand converts among the lower classes and a handful of admirers among the provincial nobility.
The Jesuits established Roman Catholic communities on the islands of Kyūshū and southern Honshū. Christianity grew and took root in southern Japan during the second half of the 16th century and the first half of the 17th century, a period known as the Christian Century. This growth was due to the absence of a central state or national religious opposition, as well as the promising commercial, strategic, and cultural ties it offered with regional power centers. By the time of their arrival, Portugal and Spain had already pioneered maritime discoveries and opened trade routes to new lands in Asia, which facilitated the Jesuits' missionary work.
Despite their initial success, the Jesuits and Catholicism soon met resistance from the highest office holders of Japan. Emperor Ōgimachi issued edicts to ban Catholicism in 1565 and 1568, but these were largely ineffective. In 1587, imperial regent Toyotomi Hideyoshi issued a ban on Jesuit missionaries, and Christianity was repressed as a threat to national unity. This was followed by the Tokugawa shogunate banning Christianity in 1620, after which it ceased to exist publicly. Many Catholics went underground, becoming hidden Christians, while others died.
Today, the Catholic Church in Japan is a small but close-knit community, with approximately 431,100 Catholics in the country as of 2021, comprising 0.34% of the total population. There are 828 Catholic educational institutions in Japan, including the prestigious Jesuit Sophia University in Chiyoda, Tokyo.
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Catholicism was banned in Japan in 1565, 1568, 1587, and 1620
In 1565 and 1568, Emperor Ogimachi issued edicts banning Catholicism, but these had little effect. The Jesuits, who were brokers in Portuguese trade, sought to influence people in power and spread the religion to commoners. They also attempted to reform Japan's system of perpetual slavery into indentured servitude, but this was controversial and led to criticism from within the Church.
In 1587, imperial regent Toyotomi Hideyoshi issued the "Bateren edict" (the Purge Directive Order to the Jesuits) banning Christianity as a threat to national unity. This was a result of the attempted purge of Buddhism from Kyushu by Japan's first Roman Catholic daimyo, Omura Sumitada, and the Jesuits' involvement in Portuguese trade. Hideyoshi put Nagasaki under his direct rule to control this trade. The Jesuits in Japan planned armed resistance, but this was vetoed, and they eventually decided to stop intervening in the struggles between the daimyo.
Finally, in 1620, the Tokugawa shogunate banned Christianity, and it ceased to exist publicly. Many Catholics went underground, becoming hidden Christians, while others died. Christianity was only re-established in Japan after the Meiji Restoration.
Today, there are approximately 431,100 Catholics in Japan (0.34% of the total population), with 957 churches across the country.
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The Catholic community in Japan is small but close-knit
Catholicism in Japan has a long and tumultuous history. Introduced by Jesuits in the 1540s, it briefly flourished, with over 100,000 converts by the end of the century. However, it soon faced resistance from the highest office holders in the country, with edicts banning Catholicism issued in 1565 and 1568. Despite this, the Jesuit mission in Japan became the largest overseas Christian community not under European rule by the early 17th century, with an estimated 200,000 to 300,000 converts.
However, beginning in 1587 with the ban on Jesuit missionaries, Christianity was repressed as a threat to national unity. This culminated in the Tokugawa shogunate banning Christianity in 1620, after which it ceased to exist publicly. Many Catholics went underground, becoming "hidden Christians" (kakure kirishitan), while others died. Catholicism would not be re-established in Japan until after the Meiji Restoration.
Even today, the Catholic community in Japan remains small, making up only about 0.34% of the total population as of 2021, or approximately 431,100 people. However, it is also described as close-knit. There are 957 churches across the country, and in major metropolitan areas like Tokyo, Osaka, or Nagasaki, it is relatively easy to find a church for Sunday Mass. The Catholic Church is also involved in religious education in Japan, with 828 Catholic educational institutions across the country, including top universities such as Sophia University in Tokyo.
The history of Catholicism in Japan is marked by persecution and survival. Even today, the community remains small but resilient, with a strong presence in certain areas and a network of educational institutions. The Catholic community in Japan is a testament to the resilience of religious minorities and the ability to foster closeness and connection despite numerical disadvantages.
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The Catholic Church in Japan operates 828 educational institutions
Catholicism was introduced to Japan by the Jesuits in the 1540s. However, it soon faced resistance from the highest office holders in the country. Emperor Ōgimachi issued edicts to ban Catholicism in 1565 and 1568, but they had little effect. In 1587, with imperial regent Toyotomi Hideyoshi's ban on Jesuit missionaries, Christianity was suppressed as a threat to national unity. After the Tokugawa shogunate banned Christianity in 1620, it ceased to exist publicly. Many Catholics went underground, becoming hidden Christians, while others died. Only after the Meiji Restoration was Christianity re-established in Japan.
In addition to universities, there are several Catholic schools in Tokyo, including the International School of the Sacred Heart, which is the first international school for girls established in Tokyo in 1908. Another girls' school in Tokyo with a Catholic curriculum is Seisen International School, which aims to educate future world citizens in the spirit of Jesus Christ. For boys, there is St. Mary's International School (SMIS), which offers a challenging array of curricular and extracurricular programs to foster the intellectual, physical, emotional, and social development of its students.
The Catholic community in Japan is small, making up only about 0.34% of the total population as of 2021. However, it is described as close-knit. Pope Francis, who visited Japan in 2019, was the first pontiff to do so in decades.
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The Jesuit Sophia University in Chiyoda, Tokyo is considered one of the top private universities in Japan
The Jesuit Sophia University in Chiyoda, Tokyo: One of the Top Private Universities in Japan
The Jesuit Sophia University, located in Chiyoda, Tokyo, is considered one of the top private universities in Japan. Founded in 1913 by the Jesuits, a Catholic order known for academic excellence, Sophia University has a rich history and strong academic reputation. The university was established with departments of German Literature, Philosophy, and Commerce, reflecting the Jesuits' emphasis on a well-rounded education.
Sophia University has a diverse student body, with approximately 14,000 students in total, including over 1,500 international students from 95 countries. The university attracts students from across Japan and abroad, with foreign students constituting around 9% of the student population as of 2022. The university's alumni, known as "Sophians," include prominent figures such as Morihiro Hosokawa, the 79th Prime Minister of Japan, and several members of the Japanese National Diet.
Sophia University is highly regarded for its academic programs and has been listed in the Times Higher Education and QS Global University rankings. It is one of 37 universities selected for Japan's Top Global University Project, receiving financial support to enhance globalisation and foster research in the country. The university offers a wide range of programs, including business and economics, science and technology, and environmental studies, with a focus on internationalisation and rigorous training in foreign languages.
The university's main campus, Yotsuya, is located in the heart of Tokyo, providing a modern and urban setting for its students. Additionally, Sophia University has a long tradition of Japanese studies and is home to Monumenta Nipponica, an important scholarly journal for researchers studying Japan worldwide. The university also promotes global leadership and collaboration by participating in exchange programs and partnerships with other Jesuit universities in East Asia.
Overall, the Jesuit Sophia University in Chiyoda, Tokyo, has a distinguished reputation as one of Japan's top private universities, offering a high-quality education and a diverse, global learning environment for its students.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2021, Catholics made up approximately 0.34% of Japan's population.
The Catholic community in Japan is small but close-knit. Many Japanese Catholics are ethnic Japanese from Brazil and Peru, as well as naturalized Filipino Japanese.
Yes, there are Catholic churches in Japan, including in major metropolitan areas like Tokyo. Japan has 957 churches, including parishes, quasi-parishes, mission stations, and assembly centres.
Catholicism was introduced to Japan by Jesuit missionaries in the 1540s and briefly flourished, with over 100,000 converts. However, it was banned and suppressed in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, and many Catholics went underground as hidden Christians. Catholicism was re-established in Japan after the Meiji Restoration.
The Catholic Church is largely left alone in Japan, and there is little to no Christophobia. The Church is respected for its contributions to Japanese society, particularly in education and healthcare.
