The feeling was bittersweet. After 20 weeks in a beginner-level language class in Kyoto, Japan, I was graduating from Book 1. My understanding and comprehension of Japanese had dramatically increased. However, the more I learned, the more I realized how little Japanese I actually knew. But I was making progress.

Another takeaway from the language school for me was the people. My reintroduction to Japanese culture was through the native Japanese teachers. Polite, professional and friendly, the teachers became an important way for me to understand both the language and culture.

In one conversation with a teacher, we discussed an important aspect of Japanese culture. In Japan, a person’s social groups, like their family, friends, co-workers, and even society, have a huge influence on their lives. What the group thinks plays a large role in how someone makes important decisions. Group harmony is a top priority for most people.

The teacher explained to me that generations ago, many Japanese people were rice farmers, and whole communities had to share resources like water and land. Getting along with the group was not only important but necessary for survival. Today, Japan is highly developed, and few people are farmers. But this strong sense of community harmony still exists.

As a missionary, I am interested in how this influences someone’s decision to become a Christian. Christianity is rare among Japanese people, and it is considered a foreign religion. If someone decides to become a Christian and be baptized, what problems does this cause in their social groups? For most Japanese, who are taught from childhood to maintain harmony, breaking with one’s family religion and traditions is very difficult. The group pressure to conform is great, and most Japanese people do not want to disturb the harmony of their groups.

This social norm can be difficult for those in some individualistic cultures to understand. Yet even many of us (non-Japanese) have had to stand for our faith under pressure from work, family or society. We can appreciate the struggle many Japanese experience when they want to follow Jesus.

I still have a very long way to go in my language and culture learning, but with every word I learn and every conversation I have in Japanese, bridges of understanding are being built. Please pray for the Japanese people of the Kansai project.

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