70 years ago — February 3,1947
“Protestant missionaries newly returned to Japan celebrated the fifth anniversary of Pearl Harbor by spending the afternoon and evening discussing the changed conditions under which they resume their work. … Eighty-four had been cleared with SCAP (… Supreme Command for the Allied Powers, the military government of Japan) and it is hoped that by soon after Christmas a hundred may be on the ground. Not quite as many Catholic missionaries have been cleared. All who are allowed back now must have had previous experience in Japan, speak the language and be able to show that they have available adequate shelter, food and support.” Changes in post-war Japan have made it a critical mission field. Japanese who embrace Christianity are no longer persecuted. Another change has been the union of many of the Protestant churches into one – the Kyodan. “They believe that it was one of the strange works of God’s purpose that united them in one church, and they mean to stay united.”
From “Japan – A Laboratory Test” by Paul Hutchinson
