If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, contact the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline

Call 1 (888) 373 7888Text "BeFree" to 233733

Our Impact

Japan

The Problem

  • Japan’s population is estimated to be less than 1% Christian. ZOE is determined to share the Gospel with everyone we meet. Many Japanese are open to Christ when they learn about God’s love, but there are so few people sharing the Gospel with the millions who need to learn about Jesus.
  • There are sophisticated and organized commercial sexual exploitation networks that target vulnerable Japanese women and girls through many means including abduction, force, and coercion.
  • Immigrants and foreigners often come to Japan for the purpose of work.
  • A large portion of child trafficking in Japan involves older men purchasing sexual favors or companionship from young girls through money and/or luxury gifts.
  • In the last decade, the Japanese government has recognized the problem of human trafficking in their country. The Japanese Network Against Trafficking in Persons (JNATIP), has been instrumental in their lobbying efforts to get policy changes made on the government level. In 2005, human trafficking was declared illegal in Japan!
ZOE Japan Facebook
ZOE Japan Instagram

ZOE’s Current Work in Japan

Our initial goal for ZOE Japan is to prevent human trafficking by educating churches, schools, and communities about the human trafficking problem in Japan. Prevention through education can help prevent potential tragedy to vulnerable at-risk national/international victims in Japan.

Evangelism

ZOE Japan is utilizing several cinematic salvation testimony videos from GoodNews films and creating new testimonies to draw people to our salvation website and learn about Jesus.

ZOE Japan also has a “Seeker track” that offers answers to unbelievers’ questions and more Gospel information, with the goal of leading these seekers to a commitment to Christ.

J.O.Y. Clubs teaches children English through the Bible and offers them a salvation message, and many choose to follow Christ. The mission of J.O.Y. Club (Jesus, Others, You) is to help the local Japanese church meet others in their community. Through partnering with the local church, J.O.Y. Club uses English classes for neighborhood children as a draw to provide a non-threatening way for individuals to step into a church setting on a regular basis. Many J.O.Y. Club students and their families are stepping into the local Japanese church for the very first time. This is especially exciting when you consider that Japanese Christians represent less than 1% of the population and the average Japanese church congregation is only 12 members strong. By developing strong, caring relationships, J.O.Y. Club teachers love these people into the kingdom while sharing the life changing Word of God.

Discipleship

ZOE Japan is a member of the Japan Evangelical Missionary Association (JEMA) which is a connection point with most of the Christian missionaries in Japan.

ZOE is a member of JEA, which is a partnership of most of the churches in Japan.

ZOE has a discipleship component to our online outreach, which disciples new converts who are not ready to attend church. Japanese are often afraid of going to church due to being ostracized by family, friends, etc., so having privacy online helps them learn more about Jesus until they are ready.

ZOE works with several churches to help disciple new believers from our outreaches and online media outreach.

J.O.Y. Club is operated in local churches, where pastors and staff can share Jesus with waiting parents or grandparents, and children who have accepted Christ can attend church.

Watch ZOE Japan

U.S. Citizens Donate Here
Japanese Citizens Donate Here

Prevention

Network

ZOE works alongside other NGOs in Japan to provide first responder help for victims of sexual exploitation. ZOE meets with survivors and connects them with appropriate legal and medical support. The ZOE team also visits and helps at a local children’s shelter.

Training

The ZOE team speaks at various venues, such as schools, churches, clubs, etc., to teach kids and adults about the danger of human trafficking and how to prevent it. Education materials are also made available on social media, including Instagram, Facebook, X, and blogs.

Rescue

ZOE Japan has a hotline number for children to call. Social media and online patrol and consultation for at-risk children are also available through LINE, X, email, or telephone. Night outreach/prayer walks are made to provide information/consultation for women and young girls on the streets.

Rescue

Collaboration and Advocacy

ZOE Japan is a member of JNATIP (Japan Network Against Trafficking in Persons). This network includes NGOs, lawyers, and academics who collaborate to formulate effective laws to prevent trafficking in persons, as well as provide victim relief and perpetrator accountability. As a JNATIP member, ZOE participates in meetings with the Japanese government on how to end trafficking in Japan.

Restoration

Emergency Shelter for Minors

ZOE has plans to expand our work in Japan to help restore survivors of child trafficking.

Our Japan Staff and Missionaries

Daniel Van Wyk

Director of ZOE Japan/Multimedia Producer

Annerie Van Wyk

Assistant Director of ZOE Japan/International Strategy Program Developer

Joy Tani

Missionary

Yuri Osborne

Staff

Hiromi Hataji

Staff

Japan News

ZOE Japan & ZOE Thailand: When Music Carries The Message

EvangelismGospelJapanPartnershipsThailandZOE InternationalZOE Japan

Throughout history, music has carried meaning in ways that spoken language alone often cannot. In What the Moon Saw (1840), Hans Christian Andersen wrote, “Where…

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Because of you, ZOE Japan’s Hotline Has Become A Life-Saving Resource in Japan

Child Trafficking RescueCrisis/EmergencyJapanPreventionZOE InternationalZOE Japan

Watch the full video HERE. Did you know? ZOE Japan has a hotline number for victims of sexual exploitation. It started as the national hotline…

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Not All That Glitters Is Gold: Trafficking and Japan’s Infamous Host Clubs

EvangelismJapanMissionsZOE Japan

Tokyo Hosts: A World of Glamor and Despair (original post written by ZOE Volunteer,  Emba Allison, paraphrased by ZOE's Development Associate, Emily Morrison) A False…

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Raising Awareness Through Manga: Protecting Young People from Sextortion

Child Trafficking PreventionEducationJapanPreventionSpecial ProjectsZOE InternationalZOE Japan

Sextortion cases are on the rise, ensnaring more and more young people in their deceptive traps. The best way to protect ourselves and others is…

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Want to learn more about ZOE Japan?

Visit the ZOE Japan Website

Help Work in Japan

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