Moving to a new country can be a daunting experience. There is a lot of planning and praying that goes into it.
Since many people visit Japan on their own before diving headfirst into ministry, we have put together a list of questions you can ask missionaries to better understand their area and perspectives. We have also included questions about basic life. Since areas have a wide array of differences, we hope these questions will help you gain deeper insight into the specific regions where missionaries are working.
Whether you’re single or moving with a family, here are some questions you can ask missionaries in Japan.
We highly recommend asking these same questions to multiple missionaries in multiple regions because the answers will vary.
If you are meeting up with a missionary, you may want to email them this list so they can better prepare to answer your questions in person.
P.S. – Be sure that you’re the one who buys coffee.
P.P.S. – DO NOT send this out as a blanket email and expect email responses.
Living Logistics and Expenses
- What can we expect to pay for rent? Do most of the church people own or rent?
- Is the area the church is in composed of apartments, condos, houses, or a mix? Is there any stipulation about what kind of housing we will live in?
- What are the set-up costs for furniture, appliances, and other household essentials? How many bedrooms or what kind of housing would that cover?
- How much support is required to sustain life and ministry comfortably?
Cultural Adjustment
- What cultural norms or practices should we be aware of to avoid misunderstandings?
- What are Japanese attitudes toward foreigners and missionaries?
- How do Japanese people typically celebrate holidays, and how might this affect ministry opportunities?
Ministry and Networking
- What are the main religious practices in the area, and how do they influence daily life?
- Are there existing Christian churches or ministries in the region? What challenges do they face?
- How can you connect with local missionaries or pastors for collaboration and advice?
Daily Life and Practicalities
- Are household items (e.g., toiletries, cleaning supplies) and kitchen essentials readily available in Japan? (Note: Some regions of Japan use a different frequency, so check before bringing appliances.)
- How do you get your mail from the U.S.?
- What groceries are available in local stores? Are Western ingredients accessible (e.g., spices, baking supplies)?
- Are there international grocery stores nearby? What do they carry? What is the cost?
Food
- How have you had to adjust to cooking in Japan?
- What kind of advice would you have for people who are used to cooking in the U.S.?
Medical
- Do you know how [insert your medical condition] is treated here? (medications, procedures, etc.)
- Note: If you have a known medical condition, be sure to ask about treatment and medication in Japan since approved drugs vary.
Transportation
- How do most people get around here?
- Do we need a car (or two)?
- Would we need bicycles or battery-assisted bicycles?
Children’s Education
- Are there international schools where our kids can learn English?
- How well-equipped do you think the public school system is to accommodate foreigners?
- Have you had any bad experiences with the local school district?
Language School
- What kind of pre-field language learning can we do?
- What is expected of people learning the language?
- How much does it cost (e.g., upfront fees, textbooks, tuition)?
Ministry Involvement
- What steps are needed to get involved here?
- What opportunities are available for us to get involved?
- What would you be doing if you had more help?
Missions Organization/Team
- What kind of support and systems do you have in place to help new missionaries?
- What do you expect new missionaries to do?
- How long do you expect missionaries to take to learn Japanese and become ministerially functional?
- What areas would we be able to serve long-term?
Outreach/Evangelism Approaches
- What seems to “work,” and what doesn’t?
- What kinds of mistakes do you see first-term missionaries make that you would advise against?
- What would you try if you had the time and resources?
- What are some ways you have found helpful to begin and build relationships with Japanese people? (Things to do, places to go, activities to participate in.)
Geography
- How is the city/area divided? Where are the industrial areas? Where are the white-collar areas? Which parts of the city would be considered the poor areas and the rich areas?
- What is the history and impact of missions in the area?
- How many and what types of churches exist, including Christian bookstores and media?
- How is this city/region different from other areas of Japan? What makes it unique (e.g., beliefs, practices, festivals)?
- How have your views of this city and its culture shifted over time?
- Are there any new changes that have occurred in the last five years or that are occurring right now in the city/area (e.g., building, zoning, educational reform, politics)? How do you think they will affect the area and the culture of the region?
- What do you wish people would ask before moving to this city?
Missions Organization
- How do missionary assignments work? Are there any specific expectations for a wife’s involvement in ministry?
- How do you handle taxes?
- How do you handle the Japanese pension (nenkin) system?
- Are you considered an employee of an agency in the U.S. or of an organization in Japan? How does this affect your taxes?