Japanese in Brazil


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The people of Japanese origin came to Peru in the last century. Many Japanese now are third and fourth generation. Peruvians in Japan are the second largest Japanese people group in South America, those in Brazil being the largest.

Peru was the first country in Latin America to have diplomatic relations with Japan and to allow Japanese immigration. Japanese families first came to Peru in 1899. There were about eight hundred of them. They came from Hiroshima, Okinawa, Osaka, Gifu, and Kanagawa. Many came as farmers and later went to live in the cities of Peru like the capital Lima.

A politician of Japanese origin, Alberto Fujimori, led Peru from 1990-2000. He was later put in prison on corruption and human rights abuses. He was released from prison in 2017. He was returned to prison in 2018. Fujimori's record in Peru remains very controversial.


What Are Their Lives Like?

The Japanese in Peru have many different jobs. Some work at the highest levels of Peruvian society as financiers, university professors and as owners of large businesses. They are often well educated and have major economic positions. As a result of the Peruvian economy sinking in the 1980s, many Japanese Peruvians went to the U.S.A. or to Japan.

Although their numbers are relatively small, the Japanese have had a major impact on Peru.

The Peruvian Japanese have strong community associations. They marry within their group. They try to keep to themselves and are proud of their cultural heritage. Japanese young people attend special schools on Saturdays to learn the Japanese language and culture. Economic and social links between Peru and Japan are strong. Japanese couples have a small number of children generally one to three. Other Peruvians tend to have larger families.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The majority of the Japanese in Peru claim to be Shinto Buddhists. This is also the majority religion in Japan. For many secular Japanese, Buddhism is more cultural than religious.

Buddhism is the major world religion based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama or the Buddha, who lived in the 6th and 5th century BC in ancient India. The Buddha taught the Four Noble Truths by which one can gain spiritual knowledge and escape the endless cycles of reincarnation.

Mahayana Buddhism is the dominant branch of Japanese Buddhism. It asserts that by following the six perfections that a Buddhist can move along the path to Enlightenment. Tibetan Buddhism falls within the Mahayana school.

Two of the important Buddhist yearly holidays are Vesak, the Buddha's birthday celebrated in May or June. Bodhi Day, the holiday in December or January commemorates the day that the historical Buddha experienced enlightenment under a Bodhi tree.


What Are Their Needs?

The Japanese in Peru must understand that material success will not bring them the peace of mind and hope that they desire. Peruvian believers can build friendships with their Japanese neighbors and show them the love of Christ in practical ways.


Prayer Points

Pray that Japanese evangelicals in Brazil will go to Peru and evangelize their Japanese neighbors.

Pray for a spiritual hunger that will lead the Japanese in Peru to seek and find the one, true God of the Bible.

Ask the Lord to send workers to the Japanese in Peru.

Pray the Lord raises up a movement to Christ among the Japanese in Peru in this decade.


Scripture Prayers for the Japanese in Brazil.


References

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/japanese_peruvian

http://www.latinamericalinks.com/japanese_in_Peru.htm

http://www.globalprayerdigest.org/issue/day/2007/04/23


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

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 387,000
Population all Countries 119,869,000
Total Countries 48
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 5
Unreached No
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed
People ID 12322
ROP3 Code 104189
ROP25 Code 303334
ROP25 Name Japanese
Country Brazil
Region America, Latin
Continent South America
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Widespread   Source:  Ethnologue 2010
Country Brazil
Region America, Latin
Continent South America
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Widespread.   Source:  Ethnologue 2010

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Ethnolinguistic map or other map

Primary Religion: Christianity
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
20.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 15.00 %)
63.50 %
Ethnic Religions
16.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
0.00 %
Other / Small
0.50 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Japanese
Language Code jpn   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
Portuguese
Primary Language Japanese
Language Code jpn   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 2
Secondary Languages
  Portuguese
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
Audio Recordings Story of Jesus audio Jesus Film Project
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 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 Campus Crusade for Christ
General Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible app: Japanese YouVersion Bibles
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 Campus Crusade for Christ
Photo Source N-Y-C - Pixabay 
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.