Japanese in Russia

Introduction / History

A stranded Japanese fisherman called Dembei stayed in a part of Russia at the beginning of the eighteenth century and was told by Peter the Great, the Russian Tsar, to remain and teach people the Japanese language. In the nineteenth century, the Japanese began to emigrate to the Russian city of Vladivostok.
A number of Japanese came to live in south Sakhalin which became Japanese after the Russian and Japanese War in the early twentieth century. After World War II, many Japanese returned to Japan from Sakhalin as it then all became part of Russia again. Russia sent captured Japanese prisoners of war to camps in Siberia.

What Are Their Lives Like?

After relations resumed between the two countries, Japanese people went to Russia for political, business and education reasons. They established a Japanese school in Moscow which is an international school. They also started a part-time Japanese school in the city of Saint Petersburg. They speak Japanese and Russian.
The Japanese in Russia live mainly in Moscow and Vladivostok.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Japanese in Russia practice Buddhism and Shintoism though many secular Japanese do not practice a religion. Only a small number practice Christianity.

What Are Their Needs?

The Japanese in Russia need anointed workers to share the gospel in the Japanese language and within the Japanese culture.

Prayer Points

Pray for loving workers to take Christ to the Japanese in Russia.
Pray for open hearts among the Japanese.
Pray for the distribution of the available Japanese Bible and other resources.
Pray for the establishment of a viable, indigenous and reproducing Japanese church in both Russia and Japan.

Text Source:   Joshua Project