“We don’t have rice on on the shelf of any supermarket or stores. Everybody’s doing stockpiling, and we cannot buy rice,” says Takeshi Takazawa with A3.

(Photo of Typhoon Shanshan’s path August-September 2024 courtesy of Supportstorm via Wikimedia Commons.)

The panic buying isn’t simply a response to one storm. In August alone, Japan endured effects of typhoons Maria, Ampil and Shanshan, as well as a 7.1-magnitude earthquake followed by warnings of a possible megaquake. Although the warning has since been lifted, authorities say the risk of a massive earthquake still exists. 

In the face of these dangers, Takazawa says people in Japan are asking, “Who takes care of me?” He says they have been noticing a decrease of help coming from the government after disasters — most recently the January 2024 quakes in Noto. 

“They (the people of Noto) continue to struggle because [the] government didn’t do [aid] the same way we had in [the disasters that happened in the] northeast and Kumamoto and other places,” says Takazawa.

“People are getting little bit more nervous about, ‘How can we take care of ourselves?’ Sixty-five percent of our food [comes] from outside [the country], and if delivery and import stops, we can be starved to death.”

Local churches have stepped into part of this gap. Takazawa says churches have been able to build networks to respond to crises such as the 2004 Niigata quake, the “triple disaster” in Fukushima in 2011, and the 2016 Kumamoto quake.

“[In] each [of these] cases, local communities saw Christian churches actually [stay] and continue to support and pray, both physically and emotionally and ultimately spiritually. That testimony has been going forth, and that’s great,” Takazawa says.

(Photo courtesy of A3)

You can be part of this story through your prayers.

“Pray for our people so that we don’t have to go through major suffering through these disasters,” says Takazawa. “But at the same time, pray for our souls so that we don’t rely on the stockpile [of resources], but ultimately God who takes care of us and loves us.”

A3 serves in Japan and other nations to encourage and equip leaders to serve their people even better in the name of Christ. Learn more about their ministry here. 

Header photo of Typhoon Shanshan August 31, 2024 courtesy of MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC via Wikimedia Commons. This image was catalogued by Goddard Space Flight Center of the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) under Photo ID: 2024-08-31., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=152018243.

“We didn’t feel strong shake; however, we receive warnings through our smartphones, and then almost [immediately] the community loudspeaker announces the recorded tsunami warning to move to a higher place,” A3’s Takeshi Takazawa says.

“After the warning, the tsunami started to hit some of the smaller islands closer to Taiwan.”

Thankfully, no deaths were recorded in Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture as communities heeded the evacuation orders.

A “tsunami warning is not like crying wolf. It’s a serious business,” Takazawa says.

“The big earthquake in 1995 in the Kobe area shook up Japanese people. Then, in 2011, we experienced a triple disaster with tsunami, and many people lost their lives.”

Wednesday’s earthquake affected communities in several regions in Taiwan. Pray that Christian leaders can deliver help and hope in the name of Jesus.

“Jesus is in control of everything, even this quake or tsunami. In the midst of that, God’s care, love, and protection are there,” Takazawa says.

“God is way more powerful than this.”

As believers meet needs, pray they will have opportunities to tell people about the Lord’s soon coming.

“Jesus left words for us about ‘the beginning of the end,’” Takazawa says. “These things (natural disasters) will happen more and more, but that’s not the end.

“Something way bigger, way more drastic will happen in the future, and we must be prepared. Our hearts, spirit, life, and community need to be prepared for more.”

Header image is a representative stock photo courtesy of Matt Paul Catalano/Unsplash.

Regarding motive, the suspect told investigators his mother joined a cult called the Unification Church and bankrupted the family by giving to this cult. “He (the killer) thought Abe played a key role in allowing this cult to spread within Japan,” Takeshi Takazawa of Asian Access says.

Family Federation for World Peace and Unification symbol
(Wikimedia Commons)

Originally from South Korea, the Unification Church was formerly called the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification. The cult draws significant financial support from followers in Japan. Lawyers say the cult forced families and ex-members to give $37 million between 2017 and 2020.

The “Unification Church leads followers [to think that] giving more money to this church would help them, or [result in] blessing,” Takazawa says.

A spiritual side to Japanese culture makes them prime targets for false teachings.

“You don’t have to try to prove to any Japanese people that there is a spiritual realm [or] there is a supernatural being beyond our life; even scientists would believe [that idea],” Takazawa says.

“We (Japanese people) hold a certain respect for any religion. Anything can be religion; anything can be a deity, if you believe.”

Japanese Christians may be small in number, but they’re introducing people to the truth of Jesus. Help Asian Access equip Christ-followers in Japan here.

“Christianity in Japan is less than one percent of the population. Pray for Japanese people to be open and see God’s love. Pray [Japanese] Christians would have the opportunity to share God’s love,” Takazawa requests.

“The evil one (Satan) has put lots of ‘eye shields’ so that we (Japanese) can’t see the truth. Pray Japanese people can see the love of Jesus Christ expressed in tangible ways.”

Header image depicts a Unification Church facility in Seto, Japan. (Wikimedia Commons)

Japan remains in a state of national mourning. Abe was the longest-serving leader of modern Japan. “The entire country’s in shock, still,” Takeshi Takazawa of Asian Access says.

Abe was giving a political speech on Friday when a man shot him in the back with a homemade gun. Police immediately apprehended the killer, a 41-year-old former member of Japan’s Self Defense Force.

“We don’t call it military; even though [soldiers have guns], those are for defending our country,” Takazawa explains.

Japan strictly regulates firearms, and political violence is extremely rare. “We do not think killing is the answer; that’s part of our Constitution as a nation,” Takazawa says.

“Nobody wishes even political rivalries to be killed; lives shouldn’t be taken just because you don’t agree with them.”

Pray for Asian Access staff in Japan as they mourn alongside their fellow citizens. Pray believers find an opportunity to share the hope only Christ can offer.

Then-Prime Minister Shinzō Abe arriving in the United States together with his wife Akie Abe on November 17, 2016.
(Wikimedia Commons)

Several years ago, “Mr. Abe’s wife, Akie, visited our missionary, Sue Takamoto, and they became good friends,” Takazawa says.

“We will pray for Sue Takamoto to be able to comfort Mrs. Akie Abe [during] this critical moment.”

Ask the Lord to guide Japan’s newly-elected government leaders. “We’re encouraged to pray for our leaders. We pray for all those people who will be receiving the seat in Congress so that they may fear God,” Takazawa says.

A pastor connected to Asian Access decided to campaign in this year’s election. “We were praying that God [would allow] him to have a voice in the national political scene as a Christian. At this point, we have no one,” Takazawa says.

“In the past, we had one pastor who [became] a national Congress member, but now we do not have anybody as a pastor serving there.

Header image depicts former Prime Minister Shinzō Abe bowing during a 2020 press conference announcing his resignation. (Wikimedia Commons)

Japan’s government declared the third state of emergency last week due to rising COVID-19 infections. The decision comes as Tokyo locals prepare to host the 32nd Olympic Games in three short months.

Poster from Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare. (Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)

“The government would like to quickly eliminate the rapid increase [of new cases] with new strands of viruses. While Japanese [are] getting ready for vaccinations of the people, we are quite behind,” Takeshi Takazawa of Asian Access says.

“We didn’t come up with vaccines of our own, so we depend on U.S. production. Different simulations have been done, and we probably will not be able to finish vaccinating people over 65 before the Olympics are supposed to start.”

Local opinions about this global event fall into thirds. “We have several different polls among general citizens about the Tokyo Olympics. One-third of Japanese people are thinking, ‘Let’s postpone one more year until we have some control over this pandemic,’” Takazawa says.

“Another one-third is saying, ‘Let’s cancel; this is not going to work. We can’t control this.’ Another one-third is [saying], ‘Let’s go. We have already postponed one year, and the situation’s slightly better. We know what we’re dealing with’,” he continues.

“Those are the three splits, and each group has good evidence or proof.”

Gospel impact

Before the pandemic, Asian Access had massive outreach plans for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. More about that here. They’re adjusting those plans to each new development, but their mission remains the same.

“Let’s pour love on people who God has placed in front of us,” Takazawa says.

“[It’s] not so much ‘If they do the Olympics we can share the Gospel.’ No, regardless of the decision, how can we do this? This is an opportunity to [find] new ways to come alongside and share love.”

July 23, the start date of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, moves a little closer every day. Takazawa requests prayer in these three areas:

• Opportunity – Pray believers will find Gospel opportunities in places they haven’t looked before. Ask God to present opportunities so believers can share about Christ.
• Words – Pray Japanese Christians will have the words they need to express their faith clearly. Ask the Lord to remove fear so it won’t hinder their message.
• Boldness – Pray believers will be “strong and courageous” to share Christ’s hope and love with people who do not know Him.

Header image is a graphic obtained from Wikimedia Commons.

Takeshi Takazawa of Asian Access says, “We want to think, ‘That was it. We went through hardship enough. So until Jesus comes back, this will be the end. We just continue without earthquakes or any disaster or suffering.’ But it was a wake-up call that this can happen anyplace, anytime, to anybody.”

Japanese Christians

But God works in a mysterious new way in the world, Takazawa says. And He doesn’t stop in times of pain and hardship. “The global Church came together as one and came alongside the part that was hurting. We felt [their love] not just theological reflection. We saw it, we touched, and we smelled it. We tasted the global Church.”

The disaster also taught Japanese Christians to move towards areas of disaster and hardship, not away from them. “Of course, an evacuation was needed for the moment. But where they live, the Church must be established, raising leaders for the harvest, from the harvest.” Pray God will bless their continuing ministry in a country that still bears scars from this catastrophe.

The header image shows a small town in Japan abandoned after the triple disaster. (Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain)

“People have different feelings. Some [are] saying, ‘it’s impossible so let’s give up’; [the] government hasn’t,” Takeshi Takazawa explains. Takazawa is Vice President for Strategic Engagement and is the former National Director of A2/Japan for Asian Access.

2020 Tokyo Olympics commemorative coin.
(Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)

Asian Access had high hopes for Olympic outreach, but those plans were put on hold last spring. For now, leaders focus on more pressing needs – stemming the rising depression and suicide rates in Japan.

Tokyo Olympics and mental health

With fewer than 200 days remaining before Tokyo Olympics begin, authorities say everything will go forward as planned. However, uncertainty remains high and sadness often follows canceled plans.

Depression rose 477-percent among professional athletes between mid-March and August last year, one study found. Athletes and sports enthusiasts aren’t the only ones who struggle. Depression and suicide rates skyrocketed in Japan, too.

“The depression, suicide rate has sharply shifted from older generation into a younger generation. [The] female [suicide rate] has increased since last summer, when two of the famous celebrities committed suicide,” Takazawa says.

As described here, more Japanese people died from suicide than COVID-19 last year. Self-induced deaths declined annually from 2009 to 2019, but soared to new heights during the pandemic.

Ask God to give believers the right words as they share Christ’s hope with hurting individuals online. Pray for wisdom for Japanese church leaders as they navigate changing regulations. Support Gospel work in Japan through Asian Access.

“We need to stand in the gap. Let’s stand together as a global faith community [and] encourage one another to pray for all [of these] things,” Takazawa suggests.

“Crises sometimes push us away from God. But God wants to want us to draw near to Him, so challenge each other – are we praying more because of this crisis?”

Header image courtesy of Tokyo Organizing Committee.

“Over the Christmas into New Year’s holidays, we couldn’t change the trend of steep [infection] increases, especially in the bigger cities. Hokkaido and Osaka requested ‘state of emergency’-type restrictions; however, Tokyo never went into that stage,” Takeshi Takazawa explains.

Takazawa was born and raised in Tokyo.  He currently serves as Vice President for Strategic Engagement and is the former National Director of A2/Japan for Asian Access.  “Because of [the economy], Tokyo never went into a state of emergency or major restrictions,” he says.

“We just continued [our routine], hoping that people will somehow prevent transferring the virus or receiving the virus, but it didn’t work.”

Uncertainty surrounds the fate of the Tokyo Olympics, previously rescheduled for Summer 2021. More about that here.

Church workers adapt to overcome

Critics say the current restrictions on Tokyo aren’t strong enough to keep the surge contained. “[They are] milder than before; it’s more targeted restrictions,” Takazawa says.

(Photo by Nelly Antoniadou on Unsplash)

While schools remain open, “people are discouraged from leaving home after 8 pm, that’s number one. Number two is 70% of all the workers, that’s the target, [should stay] home [and] work remotely,” Takazawa says, describing two primary changes under the state of emergency orders.

Believers may not be meeting in-person right now, but God is still using them in mighty ways.

“We’ve been helping church leaders to minister online since April of last year. Eight times, [once] every month, about 100 Japanese pastors got together online [to] discuss issues and spiritual health,” Takazawa says.

On a practical level, “we’re emphasizing listening – listening to God more, and listening to people more, not talking all the time because [the] airborne transmission risk is very high,” he continues.

“Even in a small group [setting] we try to listen; to explore listening to the issues of the people rather than [going] out to tell people.”

Learn how you can support church leaders in Japan through Asian Access. Most importantly, keep praying for Japan. “Whenever we see the news, that’s the call for prayer – ‘God, have mercy on us, we’re all struggling,” Takazawa says.  These trials are testing believers’ faith, but strengthening their hope.

“We cannot do anything without Jesus Christ, so pray that we remain in Him.”

Header image depicts Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo courtesy of Hakan Nural on Unsplash)

The vaccine was developed in under a year and uses new technology to vaccinate people against viruses. It needs to be kept at very cold temperatures, at least 70 degrees below zero Celsius.

The vaccine has been put through rigorous safety checks, and the FDA approved it for emergency use on Friday. Pfizer’s vaccine is 95% effective at preventing someone from catching COVID-19, according to several studies. The vaccine surprised many by how effective it was, shattering the highest expectations of scientists. Other COVID-19 vaccines, including the Moderna vaccine and one developed at Oxford University, may be rolled out for use in the coming weeks as well.

Near-empty streets in Japan during COVID-19 lockdown. (Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)

The vaccine rollout marks a hopeful moment in a time when millions around the world suffer under sickness or lockdown. The United States alone just passed 300,000 COVID-19 deaths over the course of the year.

Vaccine in Japan

Japan is seeing a surge in COVID-19 cases as well and has begun buying freezers to store the Pfizer vaccine. But Takeshi Takazawa of Asian Access says many Japanese remain pessimistic and have a lot of questions. “Do we have enough? Oh, you have to keep it in a very cold fridge? Do we have enough fridges? Those [things] grab attention way more than what it might provide for us. So people are hopeful, but they keep saying regular people will not get it [right away]. Maybe after the Olympics.”

Japan postponed the 2020 Olympic Games due to COVID-19, a move which Takazawa says devastated the Japanese people not just economically, but mentally. However, the country now plans to host the games in Tokyo this summer, and vaccines may play a key role in allowing the games to go forward.

In the meantime, Takazawa says, “Please pray that people of Japan will seek out the God who created us, created this world. That’s one. The god of this world has done a great job shielding the sight of Japanese people not to see the future hope, but only the problems of the current and the present. So pray that the people will be able to seek out the hope in the future.”

Header image by Frauke Riether from Pixabay.  

More people in Japan have died by suicide in 2020 than from COVID-19. In fact, their suicide numbers in October alone outnumbered the nation’s total COVID-19 deaths in the first 11 months of the year.

(Photo courtesy of Simon Ma via Unsplash)

One of the reasons for the rise in suicides is because Japan has a very group-oriented culture. Belonging to a group – whether it’s a family, a workplace, or some kind of community – and functioning within that group is incredibly important.

Pandemic shutdowns and solitary quarantines can cut individuals off from their group identity. As a result, many Japanese people are dealing with severe depression and anxiety.

Takeshi Takazawa with Asian Access says even online tools like social media and Zoom aren’t the same. “I’m talking with you now even though we’re miles apart, but this is a little bit different from face-to-face group talking [and] processing, and that is challenging for us and especially younger people who need heavy connection.”

Many single young people in Japan travel to Tokyo to work. Throughout the year, they make frequent visits to their families back home, but the pandemic has changed that too.

Takazawa says, “They’re told by their homeland family, ‘Please don’t come back. Don’t bring the pandemic. It’ll be bad. Grandma and Grandpa need to be protected so don’t come back.’”

It’s also hard for college students. “Many of the freshmen, they never went to campus. They never met anybody even though they entered school. Then all they see is a screen... They join a club or team but they practice separately.”

(Photo courtesy of Jeremy Stenuit via Unsplash)

What Japan needs is hope – the kind found in Jesus. According to The Joshua Project, 97 percent of the Japanese population is unreached with the Gospel.

Pray for the people of Japan to find their hope and belonging in Christ alone.

You can find more ways to pray with Asian Access here.

Header photo courtesy of Vaea Garrido via Unsplash.