"The mind-set of the system (that no one has the courage to address even while knowing something was wrong) has spread throughout Japanese society. It discourages outliers [meaning, one that appears to deviate markedly from other members] or risk-takers and kicks out those who challenge existing institutions." from the article, 'Changing Japan's system to handle the unexpected,' Hiromi Murakami, an assistant professor at National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies, specializing in industrial policy and state-industry relations.... Read more Changing Japan's system to handle the 'unexpected' | The Japan Times Online
My thoughts: Japan is a culture that does not like to change. This is especially true when it comes to faith in Christ. As Murakami writes, the Japanese society often 'kicks out those who challenge existing institutions.' The Tokugawa Shogunate did 'kick out' the Christians (and foreigners) in the past. This exclusion is still happening now, though in indirect and different ways. I heard a Japanese pastor recently say that 'even now one can be cut of from his family upon faith in Christ.' I was told some months ago of a believer who was told not to contact family members. The Osaka municipal government has now passed a bill coercing all teachers to sing the national anthem, 'Kimigayo,' which is said to sing the praises of the Emperor. Of course, Christians (but not only Christians) opposed to this have been punished in other cases and would be punished again. The saying in Japan is 'the nail that sticks out gets hit.'
Please pray for an climate of 'change' to visit Japan, for the Lord to pour out His Spirit and grace on Japan, for the glory of Christ to be proclaimed, for the greater progress of His church and then, last but not least, for healing of the nation as a whole, even as Japan has been through this triple crisis in northeastern Japan.
Pict: Ishinomaki, Japan was hit by a massive tsunami. Murakami pointed out that it is the culture of merely maintaining the status quo that led to the worsening of the disaster in northeastern Japan.
