Toku-No-Shima in Japan
pronounced: toh-koo-NOH-shee-mah

It is uncertain when Toku-No-Shima Island was first inhabited, but it was first mentioned in a Japanese chronicle in the 720s. The people of this island are known for having the highest birth rate in Japan, along with a high percentage of people who live beyond 100 years. The Toku-No-Shima are considered to be Buddhist, though traditional shamanistic practices are still very prevalent. These include belief in unseen gods, demons and ancestral spirits, as well as "kami," who control the other spirits and must be continually appeased, lest harm come to an individual or family.

Ministry Obstacles: The Toku-No-Shima people do not have a concept of sin or a Savior from sin. It will be difficult for them to understand the foundations of the Christian faith.

Outreach Ideas: The Toku-No-Shima may be attracted by the God who offers them the dignity of becoming part of his heavenly family.

Scripture Focus: "All these things my hand has made, and so all these things came to be, declares the LORD. But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word."
- Isaiah 66:2

Prayer Focus Pray for the Lord to give humility and a fear of Him to this people group that will lead to them being blessed beyond measure. Pray for the Lord to move powerfully among Toku-No-Shima leaders, so they will open the door to their people embracing Jesus Christ. Pray for workers to go and for hearts to be open. Pray that by the end of this decade, there will be Toku-No-Shima believers sharing Christ with the Japanese majority.

Sources: People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project..