Japan
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130,096
Total Church Membership
22
Stakes
232
Congregations
63
FamilySearch Centers
4
Temples
6
Missions |
History
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints first sent missionaries to Japan in 1901. Although political tension closed the Japan Mission between 1924 and 1948, members of the Church continued to practice their faith, share the gospel, and build the Church in Japan. When the Church returned to Japan at the end of World War II, a small group of faithful Japanese converts, few having been baptized, were found meeting together regularly.
Since World War II, the Church in Japan has experienced gradual yet steady advancement. The Japanese Saints have shown great devotion to the restored gospel. In 1965, many sacrificed time and wages to travel to the temple in Hawaii. In the 1970s, this devotion led to the construction of a temple in Tokyo—the first temple in Asia and the first of three in Japan. Japanese Saints today make important contributions to their communities and nation. For example, in 2011, after the East Japan earthquake and tsunami devastated many areas, Japanese Saints spent many hours distributing relief supplies and helping their neighbors to repair the damage.
The history of the Church in Japan is one of conviction that transcends national boundaries and political disagreements. The faith of the Japanese Saints testifies of the power of the restored gospel to bind us as “fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God” (Ephesians 2:19).
For Journalist Use Only
Takanori Mochizuki
Tokyo, Japan
Office: +81-3-3440-5689
Fax: +81-3-3440-2485
Africa
Total Church Membership
849,568
Members
2,721
Congregations
Missions
45Missions
FamilySearch Centers
Temples
6Temples
Asia
Total Church Membership
1,298,181
Members
2,113
Congregations
Missions
45Missions
FamilySearch Centers
Temples
10Temples
Europe
Total Church Membership
507,748
Members
1,296
Congregations
Missions
35Missions
FamilySearch Centers
Temples
14Temples
North America
Total Church Membership
9,637,503
Members
18,423
Congregations
Missions
175Missions
FamilySearch Centers
Temples
120Temples
Oceania (Pacific)
Total Church Membership
599,065
Members
1,308
Congregations
Missions
17Missions
FamilySearch Centers
Temples
11Temples
South America
Total Church Membership
4,320,129
Members
5,629
Congregations