‘God is sending more people to Japan to be missionaries’

Jordan and Nitasha Christian’s passion for Japan led them there as Elim missionaries. We asked how their first year had been. They told Chris Rolfe about KFC Christmases, culture, establishing church and missing biscuits! 

Before I ask about your mission work, tell us about Japanese culture. What were the biggest culture shocks when you first arrived?

Nitasha: One big thing you notice is that people almost never take time off here. They’re usually apologetic if they’re unwell or need time off from work or church. The work ethic is intense!

Jordan: Part of that is because the culture is big on not burdening or disturbing anyone. Harmony is important; everyone getting on, phones being on silent on trains and so on. Also, like us, they love queuing. And they love, love, love paperwork!

Nitasha: Cash is still a real thing here too. Paying by card isn’t common.

Jordan: And the food culture is totally different. It’s easier and cheaper to eat out, so around 5pm-7pm you’ll find queues of people outside restaurants and food places.

Nitasha: It’s such an eat-out culture that when we first moved here we didn’t have an oven. Any cooking is done on toasters or hobs. We were like, how do we roast a chicken?

Jordan: And biscuits… there aren’t many familiar ones here. Or gravy, or custard. There are certain things from Britain that you really miss...

What’s Japan like spiritually?

Jordan: There’s a festival for everything; there are days where certain deities are celebrated or things are done to ward off certain spirits.