Vatican II’s Decree on the Church’s Missionary Activity, Ad Gentes, urged missionaries to enter into dialogue with the cultures in which they work. ROCCO VIVIANO describes the challenge of dialogue in Japan today.

In contemporary Japan, Christianity must show more clearly its relevance to society, that it has something to offer for the good of the nation and its citizens, which they do not yet possess. Pursuing this goal would greatly facilitate Christians in becoming yeast in society. This means generating a virtuous circle, as opposed to the vicious circle of progressive withdrawal from the public sphere and loss of relevance in society. There is a real risk that the Church would end up existing like a bubble within Japanese society. What is the future, then?

Dr Rocco Viviano is a missionary priest belonging to the Society of Saint Francis Xavier for the Missions (Xaverian Missionaries). He was recently appointed as Director of the Xaverian Centre for Asian Studies and is Interreligious Dialogue Co-ordinator for the Xaverian Missionaries in Japan.