Japanese in Sri Lanka


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
* Data can be from various sources including official census, agencies, and local research. Data from these sources can sometimes differ even by orders of magnitude. Joshua Project attempts to present a conservative, balanced estimate.

Introduction / History

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.


Where Are they Located?

The majority of the Japanese live in Japan, but there is also a diaspora all over the world, including Sri Lanka.


What Are Their Lives Like?

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.


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, 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.


Prayer Points

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.


References

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  

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 119,242,000
Total Countries 48
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 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
Western
900
Central
400
Southern
300
North Western
200
Eastern
200
Sabaragamuwa
100
Northern
80
North Central
70
Uva
60
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)
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
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 Rock International: King of Glory Rock International
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 Cru
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General Voice of the Martyrs resources Voice of the Martyrs
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app direct APK download SIL
Mobile App Android Bible app: Japanese YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Japanese Bible General / Other
Mobile App Android Bible app: リビングバイブル Biblica
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 Cru
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source N-Y-C - 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.


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