Seventy Years of Faith: A Lifelong Journey with Jesus

Hiroshi Kawasaki

Faith in the Land of the Rising Sun: Christianity Through Japanese Eyes

Just after the intense World War II, the life of a high school boy completely changed when he met Jesus at the First Baptist Church in Yamagata. Hiroshi Kawasaki is now one of the most influential Christian figures in Yamagata, Japan. He has served as a pastor in several churches and led Asian Access, a mission organization, for several decades. At 87, he continues to pastor Suzukawa Christ Church, and striving to find new ways to advance God’s kingdom in Japan.

The first time I heard Kawasaki-sensei speak was during my first Yamagata Church Network meeting, where Yamagata churches and Asian Access network quarterly. As a new cross-cultural worker, I was drawn to Kawasaki-sensei as he shared how he is still learning and trying new ways to advance the Gospel in Japan. I was deeply touched by his passion to see Japanese people come to know Jesus and make Him their Lord. At that time, I didn’t know Kawasaki-sensei’s age, but I could tell he had been running the race set before him for decades and was still striving to see God’s kingdom advance in this nation.

Seeing someone at such an advanced age still striving for God’s kingdom deeply stirs my heart. My desire to hear and know more kept nudging me, and finally, I got a chance to hear glimpses of his story that greatly encouraged me.

Kawasaki-sensei was 17 years old when he joined an English Bible class at Higashihara Church in Yamagata, where he first heard about Jesus. Initially, he thought Jesus was just another famous religious figure like Confucius or Buddha. However, as he continued attending the church, he realized his view of Jesus was wrong. The person who led him to Jesus told him, “Jesus loves you so much that He died on the cross for your sins.” Kawasaki-sensei realized that Jesus was not just a famous person but someone who personally loved him.

At that time, he struggled to understand the concept of sin. When he first heard about sin, he asked, “What sin did Jesus die for me?” This was a significant question, not just for him but for many Japanese people. In the Japanese worldview, 罪 (tsumi), which means sin, also means crime. This is why many Japanese have a hard time understanding what sin is. When they hear the word “罪 (tsumi),” they think of crime and typically respond, “No, I’m not a criminal!” because they haven’t broken any laws. Kawasaki-sensei didn’t know that not knowing God and not obeying Him is a sin.

When his family learned that he had become a Christian, his mother was very opposed. There were two things she never wanted her children to become: communists and Christians. She thought communists and Christians were the same! She was so angry and upset that she went to church and demanded the leaders release her son from church. Being a Christian was not easy for Kawasaki-sensei.

One time, Kawasaki-sensei was out late with an older Christian friend. His friend told him to go home because his family might be worried, but Kawasaki-sensei replied, “Don’t worry, my family is totally fed up and has given up on me!” His friend responded, “You have been a Christian for over a year, and your family is fed up with you? What’s wrong with you?! Go home immediately!” His friend made Kawasaki-sensei realize that God had called him to live a life with Jesus and sent him to his family. At that moment, Kawasaki-sensei repented, and his way of life at home changed.

During those years, there was no gas or water, and Kawasaki-sensei’s task was to prepare the firewood, a task he hated. But after that conversation with his friend, he started doing his tasks even before his mother asked him. He did what needed to be done without being told, and his family was very surprised by the change in him. His mother noticed that Kawasaki-sensei’s frequent visits to the church had transformed him.

As the church anniversary approached, Kawasaki-sensei posted the anniversary poster at their house for everyone to see. His father asked, “Why did you put it here?” and he said, “It is a wonderful gathering, and I want my family to join.” He asked his mother if she wanted to go, and she responded, “Okay, I will go.” Kawasaki-sensei was so surprised by her response!

From his house to the church, it took an hour to walk. But it was the middle of winter; there was so much snow, and walking was very hard. So, Kawasaki-sensei saved his pocket money to be able to ride a taxi to the church. Yet, his mom still didn’t believe in Jesus after that anniversary event. It took her seven years to finally believe in Jesus and accept Him as her Lord and Savior. She wrote a testimony, sharing that she started opening her heart to Jesus because her son used his pocket money for a taxi for them to attend the church anniversary. She started with strong opposition to Christianity but eventually opened her heart to Jesus and believed in Him.

Now, Kawasaki-sensei is 87 years old and has been faithfully living life with Jesus for 70 years. He testifies that Jesus never left nor forsook him. He encourages everyone to pursue a personal relationship with Jesus daily, take time to know more about Him, and fellowship with Him.

Kawasaki-sensei said, “Being young is a really good thing. As I’m 87 years old, I don’t have much time left, but you still have a long way to go as a young Christian in your relationship with Jesus. There is so much potential in what Jesus can do in you and through you. Keep following Jesus!”