The Impact of Protestant Christians upon Modern Education in Japan Since the 19th Century

Abstract

Since the start of Protestant missions in Japan in the late 19th century, and continuing up until today, Protestant Christians have had a great influence upon modern education in Japan, an effect that is disproportionate to their numbers. This is not intended to denigrate the efforts by Catholics, who have done well in school education. However, Protestant Christians such as Uchimura, Nitobe, and Kagawa, as well as really dedicated Protestant missionaries, reached out to the people, especially the youth, and greatly influenced them, actually changing their lives and evangelizing them through school education, writings, preaching, and personal contact. At the same time, schools based on the Protestant faith, started by those who had a strong sense of mission to the world, emphasize not only highly academic competitiveness but also unique missions trying to reach out to the world. They accept sometimes rather less-competitive students, in order to fulfill their proclaimed mission to the world. To do so, they accept sometimes lower salaries than their public school counterpart teachers. This speaks to the strong sense of Christian purpose that Protestant teachers bring to their work in Japan. In this chapter, three Japanese Protestant Christians who had a great impact on the society and education in Japan were described. There are many more Protestant Christians, both missionaries and laypeople, who have made valuable contributions to Japanese society and education. Since it is impossible to include everyone, this chapter has focused on the three who are considered to have had the greatest influence on modern education in Japan, and who embody the Protestant Christian faith in their realm. They continue to be shining lights on a hill, showing all the world what Christ has done, and is continuing to do, among the people of Japan.