Christianity and Japan
Some Japanese think that those who call themselves Christians cannot be trusted.
It is because such Japanese see such Christians love money so much against the teaching of Christ Jesus.
Japanese know it is extremely difficult or impossible to honestly observe the teaching of Christ Jesus while there are so many Christians who do not follow the teaching. So, Japanese come not to respect Europeans and Americans only because they call themselves Christians.
For example, there are many people who work in Wall Street and the City as they love money so much while Christ Jesus forbids love for money. But, nobody including the Vatican denies the title of "Christian" to those rich people. Japanese people think that they do not deserve the title Christians. They love money as much as non-Christians do. So, Christianity functions mostly just nominally and superficially among Europeans and Americans (though it can be admitted that there have been some exceptionally pious cases), Japanese think.
But, Christianity gave great ability to Europeans and Americans who have established the world-leading material civilization. Owing to Christianity, they have become advanced countries. So, from this point of view, Japanese show some respect for Christianity but not for those who call themselves Christians.
Put simply, Japanese see Europeans and Americans not as Christians but as ordinary people who love money and cannot follow the sacred teaching of Christ Jesus.
That is why Japanese traditionally think that whatever Europeans and Americans have achieved can be achieved by Japanese. The difference in religion between Japanese and Europeans/Americans does not have any meaning.
This is the underlying condition for the success of Japan and Japanese since the late 19th century when all the world, outside Europe and North America, was put under the so-called Western colonial power. Japanese were convinced that superiority of Europeans/Americans did not lie in their religion but in their methods to understand the nature which was inherited from the ancient Greek civilization. So, without adopting Christianity, Japanese started modernization and Westernization of their nation since the late 19th century with confidence.
This Japanese success has served as a precedent for industrialization and improvement of economy of China and India. They have also found that they can succeed in technology and business like Japan without adopting Christianity.
Nonetheless, when the Empire of Japan lost war against the US (as part of WWII) in 1945, the Imperial family of Japan had to face American Christian influences.
The then Emperor reportedly tried to send his eldest son, namely the crown prince, to the US for study in an Christian environment while Japan was under occupation by the US military and General MacArthur. But this plan was wisely changed so as to invite a Christian teacher from the US.
Accordingly, the Emperor asked General MacArthur to find an American teacher who can teach English his eldest son (namely the incumbent Emperor of Japan). So, the supreme commander of the occupation forces in Japan found one female Quaker as a special teacher who would teach the crown prince and some others personally. She eventually fulfilled her duty in Tokyo while the crown prince of Japan grew up from 12 years old to 16.
Elizabeth Janet Gray Vining (1902 – 1999), was a professional librarian and author who tutored Emperor Akihito of Japan in English while he was the crown prince. She was also a noted author. Her children's book, Adam of the Road, received the Newbery Award in 1943...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Gray_Vining
During the Allied occupation of Japan after the war, Vining was selected by Emperor Hirohito himself (and not the U.S. government, as is erroneously believed by some) to become a private tutor to Crown Prince Akihito, the heir apparent of the Imperial House of Japan. She did this from 1946-1950.[1]: As part of her teaching program, she arranged for closely supervised occasions when four Western teen-aged boys in Tokyo would get together to help the crown prince practice English conversation.[3]
In addition to teaching English language skills, Vining introduced the children of the Imperial Household, Prince Hitachi and princesses Kazuko, Atsuko, and Takako, to Western values and culture. She also lectured at Gakushuin University and at Tsuda College. For her work, she was awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure, third class, shortly before her return to the United States in 1950.
After her return to the United States, Vining wrote a book about her experiences in Japan in Windows for the Crown Prince, which appeared in 1952. Vining wrote over 60 fiction and non-fiction books in her lifetime. She also worked on the Board of Trustees of Bryn Mawr, as vice-president from 1952-1971 and was vice chairwoman of the Board of Directors at the same time. In 1954 Vining received the Women's National Book Association Skinner Award,[1]:1000 for "meritorious work" in her special field".[4]
Therefore, the present Emperor of Japan is considered to well understand American Christianity as he was taught English after WWII by an American woman who was selected by MacArthur as a fine Christian teacher for the then crown prince of Japan, according to the will of his father, the then Emperor of Japan (who had authorized the Pearl Harbor attack by the Imperial Navy in 1941) .
*** *** *** ***
Pro 7:22 He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;
Pro 7:23 Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life.
Pro 7:24 Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth.
Pro 7:25 Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths.
Pro 7:26 For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her.
Pro 7:27 Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.