Japan
Evangelical
Association

Japan Update
Spring 2014 Number 67

Retreat camp for Fukushima children

Reality in Fukushimafrom keynote speech at JEA Mission Forum in Fukushima

InsideReality in Fukushima
Interview: My Grace isSufficient for You

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3

Book Review: Nuclear Power

Plants and Our Responsibility
4

Report: JEA Mission Forum inFukushima / Art Exhibit

5News and Notes

6-7

Prayer/Editorial

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If you come to Fukushima today, youprobably feel that things are mostly backto normal. But underneath the superficial
appearance, there are unspoken feelings.
I would say there are three keywords that
illustrate the reality in Fukushima—theyare “anxiety,” “division,” and “numbness.”
The first keyword, “anxiety,” comesfrom the uncertainty that nobody knows
if it’s really all right to live here or not.
Some people say “Yes, it is all right tolive here.” Especially people on the government side say so. They try to reassure
us by saying “As long as you’re eating
what’s sold in the market, you’re okay.”
But it’s human nature to feel more worried as we’re told “It’s okay.” Other
people say “It’s dangerous to live here.
We should evacuate.” The same thing has
been said repeatedly since right after the
nuclear power plant accident. I thought tomyself, “Which opinion is really true?”
I wanted to hear some opinions from the
middle ground, but haven’t heard any up
until now. People who say, “It’s dangerous,” keep saying that continuously andpeople who say, “It’s okay,” keep sayingthat as well. Nobody can say which isreally true. There is no way to come to a

by Keiji Kida

Chairman,
Fukushima ChristianCouncil

Pastor,Koriyama Christ
Evangelical Church
conclusion.
Second, there is the issue of “division.”
Since there are two opposing opinions
about the effects of radiation, people are
inevitably divided depending on which
opinion they believe. The division happens even within the same family. The
situation was really bad right after the
nuclear power plant accident. Fights
between husbands and wives occurredin many families. The wives wanted toevacuate with their children right away,
while we husbands could not decide sofast. What do I do about my job? Will
we be able to earn living if we evacuate?
These thoughts made it difficult for men
to make decisions. Every night husbands
were blamed for not making decisions
and constant fights occurred withinhouseholds. That seemed to be the typical

http://jeanet.org/

blessings for us as a church. I have been really blessed
pattern those days.
There is division between the elders and the young by joyful and intimate fellowship with people frompeople as well. I am fifty seven years old now, so if other churches with whom I’ve had no previous relaI were to get cancer twenty years from now, I would tionship. I feel this has been a wonderful blessing fromGod for me, especially because
be seventy-seven. If it were
our denomination does not havethirty years from now I would be
any churches outside of Fukushieighty-seven. Either way, nobody
ma. Without these interdenomiwould know if the cancer camenational relationships and support
from the effects of the nuclear
from outside, we would not havepower plant accident or frombeen able to do anything.
just getting old. At that age, I
Another blessing is that throughdon’t think I would worry about
relief ministries, the church is
it too much. So I can eat this and
now welcomed by the people inthat because of my age. But inlocal communities. Before thethe case of young couples with
Organizing an event at temporary housing
disaster, the church was seen as
three- or four-year-old children
or elementary school age children, thirty years from an outsider. But now, when we visit temporary housnow those children will be in their thirties, working and ing areas, we are welcomed and some people call us
raising their own children. If the effects of radiation im- “Kirisuto-san,” meaning people of Christ. This has
pacted their lives then... It’s impossible to remain calm never happened before. It is truly a big harvest resultingwith thoughts like that in mind. This kind of division is from relief ministries that we are able to go into places
we could not enter before.
a big issue among people in Fukushima.
These blessings give us some hints about what we
There is division also among the people in temporary housing. Kawauchi village has issued a return should do as we think about the future of mission anddeclaration, which means the decontamination work is ministry in Fukushima.
I would like to present three action points that are imcompleted and the village is ready for people to comeback. But there are elderly people who cannot go back portant for us now. First, we, as churches in Fukushima,
because there is no hospital in the village. Other elderly need to start some collaborative projects to help in thepeople have told me they had to move from one evacua- recovery and rebuilding of Fukushima. Since the disastion center to another so many times, and at some plac- ter in March 2011, our main task has been sharing ines there were hot spring baths and warm meals while formation. By sharing information with each other, we
at other places they got cold lunch boxes everyday. have connected organizations and churches and helped
These are some of the divi- various projects take place. But now I feel the reality
sions in both emotional stress of Fukushima in front of our eyes, demanding us to act
and varied living situations together.
Second, I think we need to build mature friendshipamong people in temporary
among Christian groups. We have been broadcasting
housing.
T h e t h i r d k e y w o r d i s evangelical radio programs in Fukushima for many
“numbness.” More than two years. After the 3.11 disaster there was a church inyears have passed since the Gunma which received a large amount of relief funds
earthquake disaster, and I from Germany and started an evangelical radio program
feel our senses have become in Fukushima without knowing our radio programs. So
numb in many ways. I am those people came to me later and apologized. I said to
walking without any protec- them that it’s okay because more people would be able
to listen to the gospel as a result. They were very gladR a d i a t i o n m o n i t o r i n g tion in places where people
and even sent us some funds. We should acknowledge
post by government. The in Tokyo would not dare tomeasurement is often lower enter. We have gotten used toour differences and respect each other rather than rejectthan individual counter.
living in this radiation con- or criticize each other.
Third, there is a pressing need to come up with sometaminated environment, and our senses have become
numb in order to avoid worry. It is so tiring to worry practical ways to continue sustainable ministry in Fuabout radiation effects in everyday life day after day. kushima. Pastors in Fukushima have been running
It is probably the protective function of our mind to continuously in emergency mode ever since the 3.11 dibecome numb so that our mind does not break, but that saster. We all realize this cannot continue forever. I feel
does not change the physical harm of radiation. Every- we are coming to a point where we need to slow down
body knows that but in order to continue living in this and think about how to continue this ministry in a moreplace you need to develop this numbness in yourself. sustainable way. There is an open door for the gospel
and we need to pray for God’s guidance and discuss toThis is the reality of Fukushima these days.
Despite all the difficult situations I think there are gether how to proceed from here in this forum.

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Interview

My Grace is Sufficient for You
by Shoko Kuba

Pastor’s wife, Hokushin Calvary Church, Fukushima City;
Part-time nurse, Fukushima Prefectural Medical College
Hospital

Excerpts from Shoko Kuba’s testimony, published
two years after the triple disaster in “Recounting That
Day, That Time in Fukushima”
Friday, March 11
My shift was over at 2 p.m. as usual. For some reason, I lingered in the staff lounge of the outpatient department, taking a leisurely lunch.
At 2:46 p.m. the devastating earthquake hit. I rushed
to the outpatient area. In order to keep the patients safe,
I called out to them to stay away from the light fixtures
and walls. Then I remained with them until the quake
had subsided .
It was nearly evening when I was finally able to talkto my husband on the phone. He said, “Everybody issafe. We are at the church. The church building is okay,too.”
At 7 p.m. that evening Shoko attended an outpatient
staff meeting. Then she headed back to the church bycar, normally a drive of thirty minutes. That evening it
took six hours. (Later she recalled feeling at times in
the middle of the emergency as if she were watching a
TV drama.)
Tuesday, March 15
I don’t remember exactly when I learned about the
explosion of number one reactor at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. Probably I first learned of itin the hospital on the 15th. On thesame day I also saw on a television in the hospital that the number
3 reactor had exploded the day
before. I remember our conversations among the co-workers, “Whatwill happen next? We should be allright, shouldn’t we? We are 60km
away, after all.” While I felt uncertain about the future, I also had assurance that God would protect us.

erything. “What are we going to do?” I cried to myself.
Some raindrops fell from my umbrella onto myshoulders. I shook them off in despair. At that moment,a Scripture verse suddenly flashed into my mind. “Mygrace is sufficient for you” (2 Cor. 12:9). I felt as if I
was being lifted high up into the sky, looking down
upon the Tohoku region from over the sea. All acrossJapan, the sky was clear. The Tohoku region was full oflush green and blooming flowers. Only Fukushima had
a dark shadow over it. And yet, I saw God’s grace filling the bright scenery of Japan—even the dark shadow
over Fukushima! His grace was being poured out equally upon the entire country. Since that day, this Scripture
verse has given me strength.

Battles Against Radiation

No longer could children be seen playing in the parksof Fukushima. All play was indoors. We took great carein selecting what to eat. We thoroughly washed all produce, cooked it until it was almost tasteless, and madesure the cooking water was discarded afterwards. Such
was our custom in the early days. It required enormous
amounts of water. It took so much energy and time that
I soon was exhausted. The simple acts of breathing andeating became continual battlegrounds. Every aspect oflife turned stressful.
Around the third anniversary of the disaster, Japan
Update (JU) conducted a Skype interview with Shoko.
JU: How have you been coping with everyday stress up
until now?
Shoko: Remembering 2 Corinthians 12:9 has neverfailed to strengthen me every time something has gotten
me worried. In the midst of anxiety, I rely on the firm conviction
at the bottom of my heart that God
is good. As the radiation level hascome down, and the decontamination work has progressed, I feelless stressed about the radiation. Of
course, after three years of living
in uncertainty I often feel tired. I
tell myself that I am also a disastervictim. I gratefully accept help andtry not to work too hard.

Thursday, March 17
The fuel supply was getting
JU: Please tell us your utmost wish
Shoko and her family
short. So I obtained permission
right now. How can we, living outfrom my supervisor to be late for work and come by side of Fukushima, help make that wish come true?
bus. My usual thirty minute drive became a three hourbus commute.
Shoko: Please remember the situation in Fukushima.
Pray for us. When possible, come and see for yourself.
Shoko’s reflections from around the second anniver- Pray that the people of Fukushima, children in particusary of the disasterlar, will be protected from any radiation-related healthdamage such as thyroid cancer. Pray for the physical,
A Sense of Support
mental, and spiritual health of the workers at the nuclear
The morning was windy and sleety. I had started com- power plant and the people living in temporary housing,muting to work by bus about three days before. Holding that they would be able to move forward into the future.
an umbrella, I hurried to the bus stop. As I tried hard My hope is that Fukushima ( 福島 – Lucky Island) will
not to get wet, I fell into depression. I imagined the icy become Fukuin no Shima ( 福音の島 – Gospel Island),rain absorbing radioactive particles from the air, and where people will discover the True Light and be saved.
now falling full of contamination. It was drenching ev-

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Book Review

Nuclear Power Plants
and Our Responsibility
JEA Theological Commission Booklet #7
by Takashi Tsutada

Professor, Immanuel Bible Training College;
JEA Theological Commission member
The JEA Theological Commission has published acollection of essays on nuclear power generation thathas been released as Volume 49 of The 21st Century
Booklet Series published by Word of Life Press Ministries. Although it is too early to come to a theological conclusion on this issue, as bearers of the gospel
we need to examine this matter from various points ofview.
Rev. Yoichi Yamaguchi, who majored in history,
wrote on “Nuclear Power Plants and our Historical Responsibility.” After explaining how Japanese society has
believed in a “safety myth” and accepted nuclear power
generation for “peaceful” use, he notes with regret that
if Japanese churches had been “as wise as serpents,” wewould have seen through all the betrayals and lies andnot been manipulated by flowery slogans. Yamaguchi
suggests that now we have a historical responsibility toprotest against the forces that are again promoting theuse of nuclear power plants.
Rev. Yoshiyuki Muchiki entitled his thesis, “Thoughts
on nuclear power plants from the phrase ‘subdue theearth’ (Genesis 1:28).” Muchiki proposes that in God’s
statement “subdue the earth,” he was not giving humanbeings permission to abuse their authority just to pursue their own interests. Rather, he has entrusted humanbeings with the responsibility to maintain the order ofthis world, God’s creation. Muchiki suggests we needto reconsider all nuclear-related technology: atomic
nuclear operation, radioactive waste treatment, accident
management, and environment observation systems.
The development of his thesis is based upon the Bookof Genesis.
Rev. Yuji Sekino mentions in “Nuclear Power Plants
and Christianity from the View of Natural Science,” that
not only in regards to the use of nuclear power plants,
but whenever modern science goes forward, we areasked about “God’s realm,” which human beings must
not invade. This is an alarm that in this world, there isalways a sacred area into which human beings should
not enter. On the other hand, without biblical observations, this kind of alarm describes the natural world
as only an obscure menace. Christians are expected tostand between faith in the Creator and a healthy understanding of this world that was made by the Creator.
Sekino points out that nature and its phenomena may
be explained by the laws of modern natural science.
However, only considering those laws makes the natural world a closed system. Though the Bible accepts
those laws, it does not agree that the natural world is

4controlled only by those laws. There is always room toaccept, for example, supernatural phenomena—an open
view of the world that allows intervention by God. If
we take nuclear power plants as the topic of discussion
and are against them only on the basis of a closed system—for example, the conservation of nature—we arein danger of not considering all of the necessary angles.
Sekino concludes that the view of the world that Christians should seek is a view toward nature that allows fora Creator.
The article “Nuclear Power Plants and Human Greed”
was written by Yoshiki Saito, who specializes in Christian counseling. He does not think nuclear power plants
themselves are the products of human greed, but thinksthat human desire, which expects endless profits fromthem, must be questioned. An inquiring mind is a giftfrom God. But when we are alienated from the Gift-giver, while our endless desire still motivates us, problems
arise. If such motivation causes too much expectation
for special energy and weare dependent upon it, it istime to listen to the alarmof the Lord.
Rev. Tatsuro Naito tries
to approach this themefrom an engineer’s pointof view (Naito once designed radio equipment)
in “Thoughts on Nuclear
Power Generation about
which Churches Should
Be Concerned.” He gives
concrete and meaningful
suggestions to politicians,
researchers, engineers and local governments. The mostinteresting part of his thesis, however, is his question toevangelical churches: “How seriously have we worked
to maintain this world created by God?”
Working hard in mission does not justify neglecting
our social responsibility. If that is true, now we must
seriously consider Naito’s question.
“Views of Churches in the US and UK toward Nuclear Power” by Rev. Don Schaeffer presents various positions in regards to nuclear power plants that have beenargued in western societies. Schaeffer says no matter
which opinion they take, Christians are asked to behave
like “salt and light.”
The Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami happened just when the Theological Commission was engaged in a comprehensive study of faith and science. It
was quite natural for the members to turn their attention
toward problems related to nuclear power generation.
It is especially meaningful at this time to gather a collection of essays on this subject. The next time we use
electric power as we switch on a light, perhaps we will
be drawn into some theological reflections on this topic.
(translated from JEA News No.44, September 2013)

ReportJEA Mission Forum 2013 in Fukushima

Mission Living with FUKUSHIMA
by Kenichi Shinagawa
General Secretary, Japan Evangelical Association
The JEA Mission Forum 2013 in Fukushima was held
November 18 and 19, 2013 in Koriyama, Fukushima.
About 150 participated. Two-thirds were from outsideof Fukushima, which indicated the high interest andconcern about Fukushima among the churches in Japan. The forum was co-hosted by the FCC (Fukushima
Christian Council) and the JEA Mission Commission.
The theme was “Mission Living with
FUKUSHIMA”( フクシマと生きる宣教 ). The name
FUKUSHIMA was written in katakana ( フクシマ ),which is often used to write foreign words in Japanese,
instead of the usual Chinese characters ( 福島 ). FUKUSHIMA in katakana implies the suffering and wholesituation of Fukushima after the nuclear power plant
disaster that made the name FUKUSHIMA to be known
internationally. So the theme “Mission Living with FUKUSHIMA” means our mission of living and ministering with the difficult reality of Fukushima.
In the session titled “Hearing the Voices of FUKUSHIMA,” pastors and relief workers in Fukushima
shared testimonies from their experiences. Rev. Takuo
Takahashi of Aizu said that he was not sure if distributing relief materials two years after the disaster was
really helping survivors. But when one old lady in temporary housing thanked him with a broken voice for his
visit, he realized how lonely these people were feelingas time passes and less and less people come to visit.

Rev. Masaru Asaoka, general secretary of Fukushima
Hope Project, examined church involvement in Fukushima through four marks of the church:• one,• holy,• catholic,and• apostolic.
He chall e n g e dchurchesin Japan as
150 participants gathered for the forum
a whole towalk along with churches in Fukushima just as Jesus
instructed us to go in pairs in Mark 6:7.
Rev. Ryutaro Suematsu, chair of the JEA Mission
Commission, pointed out that when we try to be Good
Samaritans as in Jesus’ parable, we find ourselves incapable of becoming a true neighbor. That is the realityof the human condition in Fukushima as well. But it
is God himself who groans for our sufferings, and our
only solution is Jesus Christ who is the ultimate sourceof compassion and justice.
The forum served not only as a place to discuss issues
but also as a place to listen to God’s voice in the midstof sufferings and hardships in Fukushima.

Participating in God's Work of Recreation
by Eisuke Kanda
President, Friends with the Voiceless International

Japan experienced a great tragedy in 2011—an earthquake, tsunami, and especially in Fukushima, a nuclear
plant explosion.
FVI (Friends with the Voiceless International) chose
to focus their disaster work on partnerships withchurches in Fukushima since they were facing the triple
disaster of earthquake, tsunami, andradiation.
With the prayer that
God’s Kingdom will
come to Fukushima,
we have been working together withchurch leaders to holdseveral Fukushima Future Forums. An art workshop isplanned as Fukushima Future Forum #5.
God is the Artist who created a beautiful world at the
beginning of history, and he will create a New Heaven
and a New Earth at the end of history. God who is atwork today is calling his people to participate in his
work to bring in his Kingdom.

In November 2013, nine artists (including specialists in oil, water, picture book paintings, glasswork,and poetry) who wished to participate in God’s workin recreating Fukushima, visited tsunami sites and therestricted zone within 4km of the nuclear plant (while
wearing protective gear). We wanted to listen to God,because we believe that God is speaking his message
at this very moment. We need to have ears to hear now,and in the age to come.
As artists, we would like to share God’s importantmessage in a way that words are unable to describe.
Title: We are born at this very special time
Let us remember Fukushima
Sponsored by: Friends with the Voiceless International
Supported by: Japan Lausanne Committee andBible & Art
Location: Iwaki City Culture Center 3F
Date: March 8–13 (Saturday–Thursday)
contact e-mail: acekanda@karashi.net

5NEWS and NOTESSupporting Iwate from Chiba

The United Project: Becoming an NPO to continue support
Soon after the Great East Japan Earthquake, members ofa church in Chiba started the “United Project”(UP) to help
in disaster relief. In September 2013, they became an NPO
in order to continue relief work. The inaugural meeting washeld on September 21, where reports on the relief work andprospects for the future were shared.
UP consists mainlyof volunteers fromInternational Bible
Fellowship (IBF) of
the Japan EvangelicalCovenant Church. In
conjunction with the 3.11 Iwate Church Network—a disaster relief organization—they have sent over 300 volunteers.
Michio Nagata serves as their long-term local staff.
Director Mark Tan reports, “During the first year, our work
was providing for needs and doing physical work, such as repairing buildings. During the second year, our work focusedon caring for the hearts of the people. Now, I feel we are in a
new phase. Though the numbers of volunteers are decreasing,
the needs of the local people are still present. There must be
things that only those who are far from the disaster area cando. We want to discuss next steps and continue in this work.”
Yoshiya Kondo of Morioka Bible Baptist Church, Conservative Baptist Association of Japan, said “Through relief
work, we got to know people who did not know any churches
or Christians. Again and again, we have heard of those whohave come to know Christ. It is said that the restoration work
is proceeding at a very slow pace. Yet the restoration workof God is continuing with no rest. I plead with you churches,
you who have been given this task, to stand firm in the disaster area.”
To meet needs in the disaster area, UP is considering achildren’s development project and a medical and welfare
project. To support this work, one can donate, volunteer or
become an affiliate member.
Email: jimukyoku@unitedproject.jp
Web site: http://unitedproject.jp

Dementia CareWith the progression of Japan’s declining birthrate and aging population, the care of people with dementia has become
an issue in the church. The “Gathering Aiming to Become a
Church that Lives Alongside Disabled People” (“The AlmondSociety”) was started by the Saitama District of the United
Church of Christ Japan. The Society held its nineteenth gathering at Saitama Wako Church in Wako city on September
23. A care worker and two individuals involved in caring fortheir families spoke fromtheir experience. Yasuo
Kojima, Facilities Directorof Kawagoe Kings Garden
gave counsel as an advisor.
Fumio Sakuma, welfare
care worker and Chairmanof Tasukeai Net shared:“The seemingly abnormal behavior of people with dementia
has meaning. This is because such behavior is an expressionof that person’s life up until now.” He also said that it is not
unusual for wives to be overburdened because of a lack ofhelp from their husbands, who are busy at work. “To get men
involved, just saying it’s hard work will not do. You must be
rational and specific,” he explained.
Kojima pointed out that there is no place where the caregiver can “speak her heart.” He introduced some examples of
discussions conducted at their facility and said “It would begood if there were places within the church in which a person
can speak without being criticized, but rather find sympathy.”He then quoted from Romans 12:15, encouraging the church
to be a place where we “rejoice with those who rejoice.”
A time for discussion and answering questions was held in
the afternoon, after which Sakuma closed the meeting withthe words, “Rather than ‘kindergarten’ the church’s focus will
now be on ‘elders garden.’”

Kaiku Katoh, Gospel Magician

Kaiku Katoh had always wanted to go out into the world
to be the fragrance of Christ in Japanese culture. Years ago,
when his wife was invited by a church to perform ventriloquism, he went along. There, someone asked him if he wasalso a performer of some sort. That question and a providential meeting around that time with a Christian who was aprofessional magician, triggered him to start learning Gospel
magic.
It turned out that magic was a great
tool to reach out to local communities. Through his affiliation with an
NPO called Japan Children’s Cultural
Academy ( 日本子ども文化学会 ),Kaiku has been invited to different
elementary schools several times ayear for the last 15 years. He participates in an open class, typically on a
Saturday, as a guest teacher.
In a 45-minute presentation entitled“What Do You See?” he quickly
grabs the attention of his audience by producing dove after dove out of a piece of silk fabric. He then teaches three
simple magic tricks to the children. During his lesson, hequotes 2 Corinthians 4:18 where Paul speaks about looking
not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen. He drives
home the point that the important things in life often cannot
be seen, such as feelings, life, love, words, and happiness.
Gospel magic also takes Kaiku to nursing homes, kindergartens, and nursery schools. God has answered his prayer tobe able to go out of the church to where non-believers are.

KGK Hosts Kibokoku 2

In the wake of the passing of the bill 特定秘密の保護に関する法律 (Act on the Protection of Specially Designated
Secrets – commonly referred to as the Secrecy Act), the KGK(Kirisuto-sha Gakusei Kai), an inter-university organizationof Christian students, hosted Declaration of Hope Evening
2 (Kibo o kokuhaku suru yoru, abbreviated to Kibokoku) inTokyo on December 12, 2013.
Two college students and one KGK staff member each
discussed the pros and cons of the Secrecy Act. Professor
Yoichi Yamaguchi of Tokyo Christian University then stoodto preach from the book of Daniel. He exhorted the audience
to learn from the way Daniel acted when a harmful law was

Summaries translated from selected Christian Shimbun articles - October 2013 to January 2014

6

NEWS and NOTES
enacted in Babylon. He encouraged all to pray fervently andto carefully seek discernment with regard to what is happening today.
The meetingconcluded withprayer for Japanand its leaders,for the Church toprofess Jesus andhope, and for theabolition of theSecrecy Act. The
over 230 attendees
included high school, college, and seminary students. The
event was broadcast live on the Ustream Web site and attracted more than 1,000 views.

Obituaries:
Remembering Azuma Konno, former member of theDiet and Rakugo-ka (Comic Storyteller)“I’m going to be an angel, Mister Angel,” Konno wrote in
the hospital before he died of DIFP (diffuse interstitial fibrosing pneumonia) in April 2013. On October 23, 2013, fiftyseven of his friends organized “The Memorial Meeting for
Azuma Konno” at Japan Christian Hall in Shinjuku Ward. Attendees included members of the Diet, such as former Prime
Minister Naoto Kan and Banri Kaieda of the Democratic
Party of Japan, as well as refugees who had been supported
by Konno, church members, and various other friends. There
were too many for the room to accommodate.
Satsuki Eda, former President of the House of Councilors, said “Konno was a great person, as he sincerely served
people who badly needed political support. We should carryon his spirit.” Rev. Takashi Hoshino, of Sendai Higashi Ichibancho Church related, “DIFP disturbed his breathing so hecould not talk. But he peacefully passed away listening to thewords, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will
fear no evil, for you are with me” (Psalm 23:4).
Shin Sugok, representative of Norikoenet - the International Network to
Overcome Hate Speech and Racism,
directed some comments toward thelate Konno: “Some refugees who havenot even been allowed to walk aroundhave sent flowers for the funeral. I
respect you as a politician who spoke
aloud for the people who could not
vote for you and who cried together
with them. Thank you for making us laugh until the very last
moment, even while fighting this disease.” Konno’s daughter,
Sanami, described Konno: “His disease was tough, but hewas always cheerful and making jokes. He wrote a note, ‘AfterI leave the hospital, I will write a book named Great Comedy
in the ICU.’ He was thankful and showed us so many goodthings until the very end.”
The meeting included food cooked by refugees who had
been saved by Konno, and a video presentation of Konno’s
various stages as a comedian and some of his questions as amember of the Diet. The attendees also observed a momentof silent prayer listening to Konno reading poems of Kenji
Miyazawa* in the Tohoku dialect.
While working for human rights, refugee issues, WorldWar II compensation, and restoration projects following theGreat East Japan Earthquake, Konno also presided over Tohoku Rakugo (Comic Story Telling in the Tohoku dialect)
and performed in many charity events for refugees.
*Translator’s note: Kenji Miyazawa was a famous poet
who represented the spirit of the Tohoku district.

Remembering Doctor Masami Hirayama

Psychiatrist Masami Hirayama, pioneer in clinical thanatology, passed away of lung cancer on December 18, 2013at the age of 75. He devoted himself to the support of local
medical care for the mentally ill and to
the families of suicide victims.
He was baptized during junior highschool and studied at the Yokohama City
University School of Medicine. During
his college days, a good friend who was
suffering from schizophrenia committed
suicide. He left a message for Hirayama
that said, “Please help people with thesame pain.” This made a strong impression on Hirayama,
and was behind his mission to become a psychiatrist. Afterteaching clinical thanatology and psychiatry at Jichi Medical
School, Hirayama opened Kitasenju Asahi Clinic in Adachi
Ward. He strongly believed that continuous relationships
with doctors could support clients and stop them from committing suicide.
As chairperson of the board of directors of Siloam Incorporated Medical Institution and while working for his clients at Asahi Clinic, Hirayama developed day care systems,
home mental health care support groups, group homes, group
workshops, and family groups for the mentally ill. Hirayama
also became the chairperson of Support Plaza, an NPO forgrief care, and a representative for another NPO that he had
started, Jishi Izoku Care Dantai Zenkoku Net, a nationwide
network of care groups for the families of suicide victims. In
2008, Hirayama was presented with the Japan Gospel Awardfor his service in these organizations. Rev. Tokio Satake, who
had shared with Hirayama research into mental care using theBible, said at the funeral,“Doctor Hirayama was loved by clients because he deeply
listened to them and shared their agony. Hirayama knew thatthe problems of mentally ill clients are complicated and that
it is not easy to find clear solutions. That is why he diligently
searched the Scriptures for answers. When clients with mental disease are abandoned, Jesus is inaccessible to them. Dr.
Hirayama tried to care for these patients with the love of Jesus as revealed in the Bible.”
He successively held various posts including the positionof professor at Toyo Eiwa University, the director of theChristian Mental Care Center, and the director of the Japan
Clinical Thanatology Society. His publications include Shisei
gaku to wa nani ka?—What is Thanatology? (Nihon Hyoron
Sha Co.Ltd), Kokoro yamu hito ni kyoukai ga dekiru koto—
What the Church Can Do for People with Mental Illness (Wordof Life Press Ministries), and many other books.

Summaries translated from selected Christian Shimbun articles - October 2013 to January 20147

Please Pray for Japan
1. That our God will protect and bless the churches in Fukushima
to see hope for the future and to minister to people with Christ’s
love.
2. That churches in Japan will stand together with the churches
and people of Fukushima, will continue to pray for mission andministries in Fukushima, and will send volunteers to live thereality of FUKUSHIMA together.
3. That unity and collaboration among different church groups
will grow and churches will be used as catalyst for transformation in society leading to greater peace and justice.
4. That God will raise up the next generation of church leaders
who will be bold in advancing God’s kingdom and sincere andhumble under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

JEA Schedule
DATE		

EVENT

PLACE

August 27-28

JCE6 Program Camp

Kobe

Sept. 29

JEA Mission Forum 2014

Tokyo

Oct. 27		JEA Religious Liberty Semiar

NagoyaNov. 24-25

4/14 Window ConferenceTokyo

Editorial
Devastation by massive earthquakes and huge tsunami are damaging enough, but suffering caused by
nuclear power plant meltdowns presents challenges ofa totally different dimension. These humanly impossible challenges actually have made us realize the certainty and powerof our God’s promises, as well as the vulnerability of our own agenda.
Mission Forum in Fukushima revealed that our hope lies not in ourhuman effort and agenda but in the Lord’s compassion and His plan
to transform this nation. If we believe God placed each of us in thisgeneration for His purpose, we need to repent of our self-reliance andinward looking attitude and seek to follow how our God is advancing
His kingdom here in Japan. It is only when we seek the eternal thatpeople will see the true hope and power of Christ through us. Pleasepray for churches in Japan to stand with churches in Fukushima andbecome agents of transformation in the midst of suffering.
Kenichi Shinagawa, Editor in Chief

http://jeanet.org/

Japan Update
Spring 2014 - Number 67
English Newsletter of theJapan Evangelical Association (JEA)
Chairman :Takao Nakadai
General Secretary : Kenichi Shinagawa
Japan Update is pub­lished biannuallyby the JEA. Through Japan Update, the
JEA seeks to communicate how God is
at work in Japan and to foster prayer
and collaborative work for the advancement of God’s kingdom in Japan. Views
expressed by in­di­vi­dual auth­ors do notneces­sarily reflect offi­cial JEA posi­tions.
Japanese names appear in Wes­tern order(sur­name last).
Per­m is­s ion to reprint is gran­t ed, butplease give cre­dit and send one copy of
any pub­li­ca­tion con­tain­ing reprin­ted material to the edi­tor.

Japan Update Staff
Editor in Chief
Kenichi Shinagawa
Asst. Editor
Atsuko Tateishi
Translation Editor
Gary Bauman
Translation Staff
Tomoko Kato		
Timothy Williams
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