J-CATS Japanese Contextual and Theological Studies Ep 3 - Interview with a Japanese returnee missionary
Dec 11, 2022
Kohei Koyama, a Japanese missionary with a unique blend of experiences from Japan and abroad, shares compelling insights into the challenges of Christianity in Japan. He reflects on his faith journey influenced by Japanese culture and Western perspectives. Kohei highlights the importance of contextualization in making Christianity relatable and discusses the poignant role of influential resources like Japanese Christian novels and anime in shaping spiritual narratives. His experiences underscore the need for understanding the local community in building trust and fostering faith.
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Early Christian Influences Abroad
- Kohei watched a brief Christian anime in elementary school that sparked interest in Christianity.
- In England, he encountered Bible study in English despite language challenges and received his first Japanese Bible.
Following Passion Over Tradition
- Kohei chose to follow his passion for sports instead of the typical Japanese career path.
- Despite his father's surprise, he pursued becoming a professional golfer in the US.
Japanese Christian Novels Influence
- Kohei read Japanese Christian novels by Miura Ayako in the US which deeply influenced his faith journey.
- These novels helped draw him towards Jesus despite being overseas.
