Japan

The Latest

Pope Francis receives a gift aboard the papal plane to Panama Jan. 23, 2019.

'Get ready!' Pope leaves for Panama, confirms visit to Japan

Jan 23, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis will visit Japan in November of this year. The pope confirmed the timing of the upcoming trip during... Read more

Japanese museum finds rare scroll from country's early Christians

Nov 28, 2018

A Christian scroll found in a Japanese museum is believed to be from the earliest days of Christianity in the... Read more

Oura Church in Nagasaki, Japan.

Once hidden, the history of Japanese Christianity gains UN recognition

Jul 3, 2018

Places of major importance for Japanese Christianity, including the Nagasaki basilica commemorating 26 Catholic martyrs, have been selected as UNESCO... Read more

Child pornography charges increasing in Japan

Mar 26, 2018

Japan’s National Police Agency has reported that investigations for the possession and distribution of child pornography reached record levels in... Read more

Pope Francis waves to pilgrims during his April 26, 2017 general audience in St. Peter's Square.

Remember the witness of your martyrs, Pope tells Japanese bishops

Sep 18, 2017

By Elise Harris

In a letter to Japanese bishops, Pope Francis urges his brother prelates to use the example of their country's martyrs... Read more

Enryaku-ji, a Tendai Buddhist monastery near Kyoto, Japan, where the interreligious prayer meeting is being held.

Want peace and love? Remember to pray, Pope Francis says

Aug 6, 2017

Through their prayers, people of various religions can work together for peace, Pope Francis has said to an interreligious prayer... Read more

Samurai.

Samurai martyr beatified in Japan

Feb 8, 2017

A 17th century Catholic Samurai and martyr was beatified during a Mass in ‎Osaka, Japan on Tuesday.  Read more

Pope Francis meets director Martin Scorsese in the Vatican Nov. 30, 2016.

Pope Francis meets Martin Scorsese, director of 'Silence,' at Vatican

Nov 30, 2016

By Elise Harris

On Wednesday, Pope Francis added world famous director Martin Scorsese to the list of Hollywood stars he has welcomed for... Read more

Police crime tape closes the entrance of Tsukui Yamayuri En care home on July 27, 2016 in Sagamihara, Japan.

Why Japan won't release the names of its knife attack victims

Sep 13, 2016

By Mary Farrow

In late July, the worst mass killing in Japan since World War II left 19 people dead and 26 people... Read more

Japan reacts to mass stabbing at care center for the disabled.

Japan knife attack shows disabled persons 'have to be protected'

Jul 29, 2016

Following Tuesday's mass killing at a care home in Japan for persons with mental disabilities, one of the country's bishops... Read more

Spring cherry blossoms. Photo

How the beauty of Bach's music evangelized Japan

Jun 2, 2016

By Mary Farrow

Several years ago, a Lutheran theologian and former Japanese newspaper correspondent uncovered an unusual phenomenon in Japan.  Read more

A rescue team tries to save victims after a 6.4 magnitude earthquake hit Kumamoto, Japan, April 16, 2016.

Japanese bishops mobilize relief efforts to help earthquake victims

Apr 18, 2016

Japan's Catholic bishops are coordinating efforts to help the thousands of people affected by the two earthquakes which struck the... Read more

Japan's history of 'hidden' Christians and what the Pope said about it

Mar 23, 2015

In a recent meeting with Japan's bishops, Pope Francis discussed how the country's brutal history of Christian persecution has given... Read more

Mikokoro Center, Nagoya, Japan.

Assumption speaks to Japan's Catholics, missionary says

Aug 13, 2013

The Feast of the Assumption is an important celebration for Catholicism in Japan because of its link to both death... Read more