Kyodan, United Church of Christ in Japan

After the forced opening of Japan by Western military powers, missionaries from the various Protestant denominations came to Japan in 1859. In addition to church planting, their focus was on social service and education. In 1941, a government decree forced all Protestant denominations represented in the country to merge into the United Church of Christ in Japan (Kyodan). After World War II, a separation of state and religion took place. As a result, some denominations left the Kyodan. Nevertheless, it still represents a large part of the Protestant believers in Japan. In its social activities, the church supports, among others, day laborers, the Burakumin minority and Koreans living in Japan. It runs kindergartens, schools, hospitals and other social institutions. The Kyodan is a member of the National Christian Council of Japan and is affiliated with many foreign churches. In 1988, the Kyodan and the Federation of Swiss Protestant Churches signed an agreement to express mutual recognition and future relationship. Mission 21 was given the mandate to develop it in the form of programs and exchanges. Currently there is no project, but an exchange of content is ongoing.

Website of the Kyodan