一人ではない

We are called to defend the weak and the fatherless; rescue the poor and the helpless. -Psalm 82:3 – 4

Fighting for those who can not fight for themselves.

一人ではない (Hitoridewanai) or Not Alone is an initiative to advocate and fight for the most vulnerable in Japan – The Isolated: a well-hidden social epidemic. –Official Launch Date: April 2021–

一人ではない(hitoridewanai) will:

• initiate awareness campaigns to unmask isolation and encourage community involvement
• introduce sustainable activities to support those most vulnerable and engage volunteer movement
• identify and train leaders to reproduce effort and multiply impact

Isolation in Children

The current laws permit parents to turn over their childrearing responsibilities to the state while maintaining parental rights not allowing these children to be fostered or adopted into a home environment. 40,000 children in Japan are currently stuck in over populated understaffed institutions with only 15% allowed to be fostered or adopted compared to other countries. (U.S. 70%/U.K. 70%/ Australia 80%)

These children are then left to fend for themselves at 18 with no family or a place to call home.

Child neglect, abuse and bullying also overlooked in Japan.

Hochigo (children left alone)

An elementary school phenomenon where children find themselves at a loss, latching on to whoever offers them a sympathetic look or a kind word. At worst, that can be dangerous. More often, it simply exhausts the patience of kind neighbors or classmates parents. The increase of single parent homes, both parents working and the cultural shift of grandparents no longer co-parenting are leading factors to this phenomenon. More increasing cases of abuse and starvation are leading to unnecessary and horrific deaths of infant, toddlers and young children.

Ijime (Bullying)

Bullying in Japan remains high and the leading cause of suicide in children under 18. Japanese bullying differs from other countries in that is is mostly carried out by groups as opposed to one or two people against one individual. Bullying is especially bad in Japan because of it’s homogeneity, and a deeply fixed mindset of conformity in which differences are often singled out for attack.

The forms of isolation listed above are often noticed but ignored by society. The numbers of loneliness are much higher and unrecognizable due to the cultural stoicism that exists, the lack of accessibility to talk about problems or the lack of freedom to discuss problems.

More info and statistics from Human Rights Watch: Read more…

Isolation in Adults

There is over an estimated 1 million Japanese between the ages of 15-64 that detach from society for 6 months up to a lifetime and is projected to grow to 10 million. The family (usually the parents often elderly) also gradually become detached due to a sense of shame. In a collective system, where there is lack of respect for individuals, if you are not useful to society you are looked upon as having no value.

Read more for an in-depth look and the future of hikikomori.

A phenomenon first described in the 1980’s, Kodokushi has become and increasing problem in Japan. As more elderly in Japan are living in one-person households and the demise in traditional values coupled with broader societal challenges such as social isolation, poverty, or social exclusion Kodokushi continues to grow.

Volunteering is not big in Japan and most feel its the government’s job to take care of those who need help. Any volunteering that happens is usually on the front end and is short-lived and then completely forgotten. We are committed to continue to serve those in need for the long run.

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What we can do as a Church?

Pray

Pray that God continues to bless our mission and that he sends people and resources to maximize our efforts. Ask for the Holy Spirit to move as we prepare to promote this initiative throughout Japan.

Participate

As a new church community with a growing family of Christ-followers this is what we have been able to do so far:

We started our English Ministry a year ago as a way to connect with children and their families providing a open-door to connect, share and build into children in our community. This effort will convert over to an after school program running 5 days a week.

Our partnership with Kagoshima Food Bank allows us accessibility to some of the most at risk youth in orphanages and we are working on fostering relationships with after-school programs for at-risk children that would be otherwise left to fend for themselves.

We started Feeding Our Friends Ministry to provide meals for those less fortunate. Those we serve our mostly males 35 – 80. We have recently expanded this ministry to include elderly living alone in our community. This provides a door to connect and for us to check on their well-being on a weekly basis.

Partner

Run with us! I know many of you would like to physically join us. We also know that is not feasibly possible but you can definitely add fuel to the fire! Whether it be a one-time year end donation or an ongoing amount to sustain our efforts, YOU make a difference! Designate “Not Alone” in the comments of our donation page.

OR donate through the rundraiser Jack is doing this weekend!

Promote

Share with others who have a heart for Japan, the lost, the forgotten, children