The Expansion of the Jehovah’s Witnesses in Japan: From the mid-1970s to the mid-1990s

DOI Web Site
  • YAMAGUCHI Mizuho
    佛教大学大学院社会学研究科社会学専攻博士後期課程

Bibliographic Information

Other Title
  • 日本におけるエホバの証人の発展要因―1970年代半ばから1990年代半ばまで―
  • ニホン ニ オケル エホバ ノ ショウニン ノ ハッテン ヨウイン : 1970ネンダイ ナカバ カラ 1990ネンダイ ナカバ マデ

Search this article

Abstract

<p>This paper analyzes the factors behind the expansion of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Japan through examining this group’s historical development from the mid-1970s to the mid-1990s and assuming the perspective of the theories of religious movements and organizations. The study focuses on the missionary strategy adopted by the world headquarters as reflected in the literature of the group and external information. After the prophecy regarding the Armageddon in 1975 by the organization’s world headquarters failed, many followers left the organization. However, the headquarters emphasized that the end was near and encouraged followers to participate in missionary work termed “pioneering,” which demanded long hours of promulgating their message. The Japanese branch was a world leader in the ratio of the number of “pioneer” missionaries to the number of followers. Many “pioneers” in the Japanese branch were housewives with husbands who were nonbelievers. Although the doctrines and the eschatological salvation of Jehovah’s Witnesses are difficult to accept in Japanese society, Japanese followers dedicated much time to missionary work termed “house-to-house ministry,” and therefore obtained many new followers. This study acknowledges the strong relationship between the Japanese branch and the world headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses.</p>

Journal

  • Religion and Society

    Religion and Society 25 (0), 65-79, 2019-06-08

    The Japanese Association for the Study of Religion and Society

Keywords

Details 詳細情報について

Report a problem

Back to top