Main language spoken: Japanese
The foundations of the Nippon Sei Ko Kai (NSKK), the Anglican Church in Japan, were laid by the Episcopal Church in the United States, the Church Missionary Society, SPG (now USPG) and the Anglican Church of Canada. It was among the first Protestant churches established after Japan was re-opened to the world in 1854, ending 200 years of sakoku or self-isolation. The Nippon Sei Ko Kai became a province of the Anglican Communion in 1930. The dioceses span the length of the country from Northeast to Southwest.
Peacemaking is at the heart of much of the mission of the NSKK. The Japanese earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster in 2011 prompted a crucial response by in the NSKK. The province campaigns passionately against nuclear energy and weapons, and therefore has unique contextual understandings of theology and faith.
Theological Education Institutions (TEIs) across Asia are grappling with significant challenges, including economic recovery post-pandemic, the ownership of theological education, the need to contextualize curricula, and a renewed post-colonial consciousness. Additionally, they face external pressures such as political and economic instability, rising ethno-nationalism, religious fundamentalism, and ecological destruction.
In response, many deans, principals and other leaders from TEIs across Asia have joined with USPG for a space of interaction and exchange of expertise to enhance collaboration and resource-sharing. This initiative aims to strengthen inclusive leadership and improve institutional resilience and sustainability, fostering a transformed vision for leadership and the role of theological education in Asia.
The inaugural Emerging Leaders Academy, the fruit of a partnership between the Anglican Communion Youth Network and USPG, was hosted t the Asian Rural Institute in Tochigi, Japan. This initiative is a unique cross-cultural learning opportunity for young leaders across the Anglican Communion exploring topics such as servant leadership, contextual theology and community action.
The Anglican Communion Day of Prayer, co-ordinated by USPG, took place at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Consisting of 24 consecutive hours of prayer led by Christians all over the world, catch-up on the contribution from the Nippon Sei Ko Kai (Anglican Church in Japan)