People group profile · PG007577
The Ryukyuan of Japan
The Ryukyuan of Japan, numbering about 950,000 people, are Engaged yet Unreached. They are the indigenous peoples of the Ryukyu Islands, including Okinawa, Amami, Miyako, Yaeyama, and Yonaguni.
They are an indigenous people in the Japanese people cluster of the East Asian Peoples. Their primary religion is Shinbutsu-Shugo, and they primarily speak Central Okinawan.
Fast facts
- Country
- Japan
- Population
- 950,000
- Affinity group
- Asian Pacific Rim Peoples
- People cluster
- Japanese
- Primary language
- Central Okinawan (ryu)
- Primary religion
- Shinbutsu-Shugo
- Strategic Progress Index ?
- Engaged yet Unreached
- Evangelical
- Less than 2%
- GSEC ?
- Less than 2% Evangelical, No Recent CP Activity
- Lostness priority ?
- Expanding Unreached People Group
- Region
- Eastern Asia, Asia
Where they live
Gospel status
The Ryukyuan are Engaged yet Unreached, which means fewer than 2% are evangelical Christians, but there are sustained efforts to establish self-sustaining churches consistent with evangelical faith and practice. In GSEC terms, this people group is less than 2% evangelical, some evangelical resources are available, but there has been no active church planting among them within the past two years.
- Congregations exist Yes
- Church planting in the last two years No Churches Planted
Next steps for the Ryukyuan
- Continue prayer and fasting for this group
- Continue gospel seed sowing and church planting among this group
- Begin training up local leaders to lead and develop strategies to reach their own people
Primary religion
Shinbutsu-Shugo · Ethnoreligion
95% adherents
Primary language
Central Okinawan · Japonic family
85% speak Central Okinawan
Gospel resources in Central Okinawan
- Bible available, published 1858
- JESUS Film available
- Radio programs not available
- Gospel recordings available
- Audio resources not available
- Bible stories not available
Find more at the JESUS Film Project, Bible.com and Faith Comes by Hearing.
Pray for the Ryukyuan
- John 17:3. Pray that many will come to know the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom he has sent.
- Psalm 27:1. Pray that new believers will be strengthened in the face of persecution, with the Lord as their stronghold.
- Romans 12:4–5. Pray that believers from many cultures will work together as one body so that the church is built up.
- Revelation 7:9. Pray for the day when people from this group stand before the throne with every nation, tribe, people and language.
Ryukyuan in other countries
The same people is also reported in 2 other countries.
| People group | Country | Population | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ryukyuan | United States | 14,500 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Ryukyuan | Bolivia | 2,600 | Unengaged and Unreached |
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