Growing Influence Of Christianity In Japan

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30678, 18 February 1965, Page 14

Growing Influence Of Christianity In Japan

The influence of Christianity, which was not strong numerically, was considered to have made a considerable impact on the national life of post-war Japan, said Dr. K. Togasaki, in Christchurch last evening. Dr. Togasaki, who is chairman of the board of trustees of the International Christian University of Tokyo, and a trustee of the Japan Bible Society, said the church was steadily extending its influence in Japan.

He said that at the University of Tokyo—probably the nation's largest—all the presidents in the post-war era had been ardent Christians, and all had been elected to office by faculties made up of persons with a variety of religious affiliations. “It is safe to say that in the Japan of today many key positions of leadership are occupied by Christians who in their own effective ways are making their influence felt on society and the structure of the nation in general,” said Dr. Togasaki. Dr. Togasaki said the construction Of the International Christian University, begun in 1949, had been one of a number of notable post-war projects made jointly by 16 Protestant denominations in his country. “We cater for 1200 students, 10 per cent of whom come from abroad —largely the United States, Europe and South-east Asia. The curriculum is in English for the junior year so there is no real language requirement,” he said.

By comparison with other, large universities in Japan the student-teacher ratio was quite small—one professor, for 10 students. Dr. Togasaki said that a New Zealander, a Dr. Newell, was the professor of sociology there. In addition to his other activities Dr. Togasaki is an adviser to the "Japan Times,” his country’s most eminent newspaper. He considered the phenonemal rate of growth of Japan's newspapers

was largely due to the early introduction of compulsory education. “Today illiteracy is so low as to be negligible.” He said that almost every town and city had its own press. Japan depended on the outside world fair trade and so needed news of the world in order that could make intelligent trade programmes.

Dr. Togasaki is in Christchurch on his way to Greymouth where on Friday he will attend the district conference of Rotary International. He is the second of three vice-presidents of the international movement.