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About Osaka |
For 1,000 years of Japanese history, Osaka was the undisputed
merchant and cultural center of Japan; and today modern Osaka City continues to
compete with Tokyo for recognition as the business and cultural heart of
Japan. The city itself has a population of "only" about 3
million, but more than 22 million people live in the greater Osaka area (Kinki
district), the great majority of these people being within an hour's commuting
distance of central Osaka. Christians are a tiny minority, making this one of
the least reached urban centers in the world. Operation Japan reports that
only 0.26% of the population attends Protestant worship services. (Numbers for
Catholic and Orthodox church attendance are not available, but are also
extremely small.)
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| A glimpse of the nightlife in downtown Osaka |
Inside an Osaka subway car (and it's not even rush hour!) |
There is more of everything in Osaka! |
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Central Osaka contains perhaps the largest buraku community in Japan, and the overall region is home to a huge concentration of buraku people, organizations, and issues - perhaps even over half of all Japan.
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| The main traditional trade of the Osaka buraku is leather, and even today there are whole streets completely lined with shoe and sandal stores like this one. |
This shopping street, located in the big buraku area, is not only where we may shop, but perhaps the location of a future Christian center if we feel led to have storefront presence. |
This hospital sports the symbol of the Buraku Liberation League - a blood-red crown of thorns to symbolize the sorrow and suffering of the Burakumin, with a white star for hope. We want to introduce them to the One who wore that crown of thorns for them and can give them eternal hope. |
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Coincidentally, the same central area of Osaka is a well-known gathering place for thousands of homeless...
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| Blue tarps and other scrap building materials form
a homeless community in an Osaka park |
The furnishings of a "home" under a bridge |
A homeless man gets some rest |
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Links for learning more about Osaka:
Osaka Prefecture
Interactive 360 degree view of Osaka
Travel Update: Osaka
Kansai Window
Kinki District
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