Japan

The introduction of Christianity to Japan began with the arrival of Jesuit missionaries in the 16th century, leading to a period of growth followed by suppression and persecution under the Edo shogunate. The Meiji Restoration brought a renewed interest in Christianity as Japan sought to modernize and adopt Western ideas, with Protestant missionaries playing a key role in education and social reform. However, rising nationalism during the early 20th century led to renewed challenges for Christians, who faced pressure to conform to state ideology. In the postwar period, with the guarantee of religious freedom, Christianity experienced a resurgence and continues to exert influence through social work, intellectual discourse, and interfaith dialogue.