Japan
The Latest
The Nagasaki mission house built by St. Maximilian Kolbe that survived the atomic bomb
While the bombing devastated both the city of Nagasaki and its large Catholic population, the monastery of Seibo no Kishi... Read more
Japanese company’s pivot to adult diapers underscores crashing fertility rates worldwide
Oji Holdings’ pivot to adult diaper manufacturing underscores an ongoing crisis facing many developed nations around the world: cratering fertility... Read more
Pope sends message of condolence to victims of deadly earthquake in Japan
The reported 7.6-magnitude quake struck Ishikawa Prefecture in the western part of the country, killing more than 50. Read more
Catholic Church reportedly closer to getting its first samurai saint
The Vatican is currently investigating miracles associated with the intercession of Blessed Justus Ukon Takayama. Read more
Catholicism and martyrdom in Japan: Church marks 400 years since Edo massacre
The small but devout Catholic community in Japan is built upon the witness of untold numbers of martyrs. Read more
The unlikely hero of India: St. Francis Xavier
St. Francis Xavier is a patron saint of missionaries and missions and led an unlikely life of adventure and heroism. Read more
Pope Francis merges two dioceses in Japan
Cardinal Thomas Aquino Manyo Maeda was named on Aug. 15 as the first archbishop of the new Archdiocese of Osaka-Takamatsu. Read more
Atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki killed two-thirds of the city’s Catholics 78 years ago
Since the 16th century, Nagasaki has been an important center of Catholicism in Japan, initially evangelized by Jesuit and Franciscan... Read more
Investigation opened into alleged abuse by Paris Foreign Mission Society priests
The French bishops’ conference said the official investigation has come at the request of the superior general of the Paris... Read more
Japanese governmental panel backs abortion pill amid small pro-life protests
Japan is now one step closer to legalizing an abortion pill despite some pushback from a small but dedicated pro-life... Read more
Japanese government to investigate forced sterilization of intellectually disabled people
At least eight couples have reportedly undergone sterilization at the behest of Asunaro Social Welfare Service Corp. Read more
Japanese prime minister vows to take action on declining birthrate
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida recently warned that Japan’s birthrate — one of the lowest in the world — is... Read more
Pope Francis sends condolences to Japan after Shinzo Abe shot
“In the wake of this senseless act, [Pope Francis] prays that Japanese society will be strengthened in its historic commitment... Read more
Japan’s PM tells Vatican of concern about human rights in Hong Kong and Xinjiang
Fumio Kishida discussed nuclear weapons with Pope Francis during a 25-minute meeting. Read more
Pope Francis offers blessing to athletes at Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games
“In this time of pandemic, may these Games be a sign of hope,” the pope said. Read more
Tokyo archbishop asks Olympic athletes not to visit Catholic churches during games
The 2020 Summer Olympics begins on July 23. Read more
Japanese district court: Failure to recognize same-sex marriage is unconstitutional
A district court in Japan has ruled that the government’s failure to acknowledge same-sex marriage is a violation of the... Read more
Japan's Catholic bishops mark 10th anniversary of Fukushima nuclear disaster
Ten years ago on March 11, a magnitude-9 earthquake under the ocean off the coast of Japan triggered a disaster... Read more
Catholic bishops of Hiroshima and Nagasaki hail nuclear weapons ban treaty
The Catholic bishops of Hiroshima and Nagasaki welcomed the United Nations treaty banning nuclear weapons that came into force Friday,... Read more
This Japanese painter found the faith through sacred art
Osamu Giovanni Micico had never read the Bible, knew nothing of the stories of Christ in the gospels, and had... Read more
