Japan is densely populated with nearly 124 million people — making its historically low crime rate and sparklingly clean cities impressive. 

While Japan also boasts of academic success and beautiful landscapes, a subtle brokenness lingers beneath the surface: loneliness. Even in densely populated cities, loneliness deeply affects the Japanese people. Suicide rates are high, and many people who commit suicide do so because of social, marital, or academic pressures.

College Students Fly to Japan

Emma Smith is a college graduate who recently spent 21 days in Japan on a mission trip with Palmetto Collective (PC), a two-year program with the South Carolina Baptist Convention for college students. 

“I am a pastor’s kid, so I’ve always been involved in church,” Smith stated. “I got involved with Palmetto Collective when I heard Charlie Swain lead a breakout session on international missions and what it takes to be a missionary. I decided to apply to Palmetto Collective right after the session.”

Charlie Swain is the Next Generation Mobilization Strategist with the South Carolina Baptist Convention. Smith joined PC in her last year of college, so she only had one opportunity to join Palmetto Collective on a mission trip. Swain encouraged her to go with his team to Japan. While there, PC students would meet, minister, and form friendships with Japanese college students. 

“The purpose of the trip was also to gain cross-cultural experience, especially for those like me, who want to go into the mission field,” Smith shared. Missionaries with the International Mission Board accompanied the students and toured them around Japan.

Navigating a Different Religious Landscape

The mission field in Japan looks different. The Japanese people are open to talking about Jesus — but they’re also open to talking about many gods. Only 1% of Japanese people are Christians, and the majority are of an older generation. 

Most Japanese people have never been prayed for by name. “As we walked down the busy streets, we prayed for people. Even if we didn’t know someone’s name, God knew their name. We wanted to intercede for them because it may have been the first time,” Smith added.

“The Japanese people are still on my heart,” Smith shared. “God used my time there to confirm that international missions are what I’m meant to do.”