Japanese in Indonesia

Introduction / History

Before World War II, few Japanese lived in Indonesia. When Japan invaded and took over Indonesia in 1942, the Japanese military and workers from Japanese companies came to Malaysia. After the war most of these Japanese returned to Japan, though some remained to help the Indonesians fight off the Dutch colonialists who tried to re-establish control.

The Japanese in Indonesia speak Japanese at home and English and Bahasa Indonesian at work. Many resources are available in Japanese including a complete Bible, the JESUS Film and internet programs.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Japanese businesspersons live in dozens of nations throughout the world, including Indonesia. They work in the manufacturing of electronics, banking and international trade. Many are managers and are among the most prosperous members of the countries of where they live. The poor in Indonesia sometimes resent the wealth and status of the Japanese living in their country. Some Japanese people retire in Indonesia due to the low cost and warm weather.

Most Japanese in Indonesia live in the major cities. Japanese day schools exist in several cities including Jakarta, the capital. Japanese parents send their children to attend top universities in Japan, Europe or the USA. They prefer to live in high rise flats near Japanese or international schools.

The Japanese keep to themselves rather than mixing with the Indonesians. Japanese parents strongly prefer that their children marry other Japanese, though there is some intermarriage. Today most Japanese young people choose their own spouses with the blessing of their parents. Monogamy is the norm for the Japanese. Most couples have a small number of children compared to Indonesian couples.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Shintoism, a religion rooted in animism, is the native religion of Japan. Buddhism was introduced to Japan in the sixth century. Today, most Japanese claim to be both Shinto and Buddhist. Traditions of Shintoism, Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism have all contributed to Japanese religious principles: a reverence for ancestors; a belief in religious continuity of the family; a close tie between the nation and religion; a free exchange of ideas among religious systems; and religious practices centered on the use of prayer meditation, amulets and purification.

Many Japanese, proud of their wealth and traditions, see little need for the forgiveness from sins that Christ offers. In Indonesia, their religion creates a divide between them and the Muslim Indonesians. Few Japanese have put their faith in Christ.

What Are Their Needs?

Unlike many Asian peoples, the Japanese lack little in the way of material resources. Their success in pursuing money and materialism blinds them to their position as sinners and their need for a Savior. Many are indifferent to and skeptical of established religions. Their obsession with materialistic pleasures, careers and possessions creates a high-pressure lifestyle.

Prayer Points

Ask the Lord to call laborers to go to Indonesia and share Christ with the Japanese there.
Ask God to open doors for Christian businessmen to have gospel conversations with their Japanese counterparts.
Pray that the Holy Spirit will open the eyes of Japanese to their spiritual needs.
Pray the Lord leads the Japanese in Indonesia to read the Bible and listen to Christian radio programs.
Ask the Lord to raise up multiplying churches among the Japanese in Indonesia in the next decade.

Text Source:   Joshua Project