The roster of the 33 member and associate member churches and organizations participating in the National Christian Council in Japan (NCCJ) is a clear indication that solidarity in mission is vital, not only for churches in Japan but also for other Christian organizations. NCCJ member organizations include those related to international networks such as the YMCA and the Fellowship of Reconciliation as well as others uniquely Japanese, such as the Christian Political League and the Japan Christian Medical Association. The networks to which NCCJ relates, including the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) and the World Council of Churches (WCC), enable Christians in Japan to stand in solidarity with people and partner churches throughout Asia and other parts of the world. Consultations between the NCCJ and other councils of churches in other countries have emphasized issues of minority discrimination, human rights, peace, and justice.

NCCJ continues to work ecumenically as well as with NGOs, citizens' groups, and people of other faiths in the area of peace. One recent event was the inauguration of the Interfaith Network for Peace (made up of Buddhists, Christians, and Muslims) to unite to maintain Japan's Peace Constitution and oppose the "emergency" legislation that would allow Japan to participate in a war and to arm itself. The emerging nationalism in Japan is one of many concerns for NCCJ.

The NCCJ office in Tokyo is located on the second floor of a seven-story building known as the Japan Christian Center. Related organizations are the NCCJ Division of Christian Education, the NCC Center for the Study of Japanese Religions (located in Kyoto), and the Christian Literature Center.

NCCJ is under-resourced and struggles financially, since churches in Japan tend to be small and have their own financial constraints. The Tokyo office of NCCJ consists of a limited staff who somehow manage to do the work of the various committees. Please pray for the work of NCCJ.

NCCJ Committees:

Commission on Faith and Order
A Study Group for Theology and Mission

Peace and Nuclear Issues Committee
Women's Committee
Yasukuni Shrine Committee
Youth Committee
Urban Rural Mission Committee
Human Rights of Foreign Residents Committee (this committee works closely with the Christian Coalition for Refugees and Foreign Migrant Workers, which shares office space at NCCJ)
" Peaople with Disabilities" and C hurch Committee

International Affairs Committee
Committee on Humanitarian Aid to DPRK (North Korea)
Chernobyl Project
China Church Relations Committee
German Church Relations Committee
Philippines Committee

NCCJ works closely with the Catholic Bishops' Council for Justice and Peace on peace issues, prayer services , the abolition of the death penalty, and other issues. We also have the cooperation of the Salvation Army (members serve on the Women's Committee and help with the World Day of Prayer service), the Church of Christ in Japan, Reformed Church in Japan, Japan Orthodox Church (in particular in sending medical supplies to Chernobyl), and the Nazarene Church.
(By Claudia Genung-Yamamoto)