Diaconal Study Tour: Group from Japan on their way

Between August 22 and September 2, a very unique interaction will take place with six Japanese visitors from our sister church, the Reformed Church in Japan (RCJ). The RCJ’s involvement in diaconal work in South Africa has been ongoing for more than twenty years (read more here). In a few weeks, we will deepen and strengthen our long-standing commitment with a diaconal study tour.

The six Japanese are a diverse group who look forward to seeing the South African horizon, experiencing a braai under the Southern Cross, and rubbing shoulders with their South African sisters and brothers. If we happen to cross paths with you along the way, you won’t regret this unique encounter. Be enriched and broadened by learning more about your brothers and sisters in Japan. They are also coming to learn from their (faith) family at the southern tip of Africa. Here’s a look at the composition of the group:

Shin Toyokawa (Group leader, member of RCJ Synod Diaconal Action)

From someone who once wanted to be a pro-surfer and also spent time as an exchange student in Canada and the Netherlands, Shin now works as a professor and chaplain at Kantō Gakuin University. He specializes in Christian ethics and peace studies, but is also diligently studying South Africa’s church history (including the Belhar Confession) and is writing a book on it in Japanese. He is also an active leader (elder) in their congregation, RCJ Shonan Onchō.

Yoshitsugu Ohnishi (Member of RCJ Synod Ecumenical Relations)

Yoshi is a pastor at RCJ Takarazuka and has the gift of music, focusing on the faith formation of young people. He has previously worked for a company and was involved in mission work in China. Yoshi holds a Master’s degree in Old Testament from the University of the Free State and is currently completing his doctoral studies there while also teaching part-time at Kobe Reformed Theological Seminary.

Motoki Sakai (Postgraduate student)

Motoki is a skilled tennis player and enjoys basketball. He is currently doing postgraduate studies at Tokyo University, focusing on the development of deep-sea robots. He wants to learn more about racial discrimination, the maintenance of power relations, and the reasons for the persistence of inequalities in South African society, as well as the realities and challenges that South African churches face.

Tomoko Ushijima (Member of RCJ Synod Diaconal Action)

Tomoko is a retired psychologist who specialized in the rehabilitation of children with autism. She still works part-time as a lecturer at a university and is also skilled in editing writings, such as RCJ’s Bible meditation publication called REJOICE. Her own faith journey began as a teenager but was met with significant opposition from her parents (nothing unusual in a country with only 1% Christians). Today, she is still supported by Christian friends, especially in her home congregation, RCJ Tokyo Onchō.

Nanaka Takai (Postgraduate student)

Nanaka is actually a law student but is now pursuing postgraduate studies in early childhood development and social work. She is very much looking forward to learning about this in South Africa, including literacy and the support of teachers in schools struggling to survive. As an active youth leader in the church, as well as a talented pianist and photographer, she gladly serves others.

Soh Shimura (Undergraduate student)

Soh first entered a church as a teenager and is still exploring the basic elements of what it means to be a Christian. He loves basketball, karate, and running and studies Liberal Arts and Spanish at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University. He is also involved in providing study help to children who are struggling due to domestic violence. Soh would like to learn about the history of apartheid and Christianity in South Africa, as well as about unemployment, inequality, and other challenges.

We share one faith language, amidst radical differences between South Africa and Japan. We invite you again to help build on the long partnership of cooperation, specifically around diaconal activities: to work together to establish God’s merciful care, justice, and peace in a broken world.

Peace and joy, in Christ.
Stéphan, Carina, and family