History and Structure of the Catholic Church in Japan
15 Dioceses and the Current Situation
WEB Catholic Bishops Conference of Japan
Contact Information: 2-10-10 Shiomi Koto-ku Tokyo 135-8585 JAPAN
The Catholic Church in Japan is organized into 15 dioceses, which are geographical divisions headed by a bishop. These dioceses cover the entire country, from Hokkaido in the north to Okinawa in the south. The largest diocese, by area, is the Diocese of Sapporo, which covers the entire island of Hokkaido. The smallest diocese, by area, is the Diocese of Naha, which covers the Okinawa islands.
The Catholic population of Japan is estimated to be around 500,000, which is less than 1% of the total population. However, the Catholic Church is one of the largest Christian denominations in Japan, and it has a long history in the country.
The first Catholic missionaries arrived in Japan in the 16th century, and they quickly converted a large number of people to Christianity. However, in the early 17th century, the Tokugawa shogunate banned Christianity and persecuted Christians. This persecution lasted for over 200 years, and it resulted in the deaths of thousands of Christians.
In the late 19th century, Christianity was legalized again in Japan, and the Catholic Church began to grow again. Today, the Catholic Church is a vibrant and active faith community in Japan. It has a strong presence in education, healthcare, and social services.
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