People group profile · PG024840
The Japanese of Panama
The Japanese of Panama, numbering about 2,300 people, are No Longer Unreached. They are an East Asian people whose culture reflects the interaction of indigenous traditions, East Asian influences, island geography, and long historical continuity. Their Japanese language serves as one of the strongest markers of national identity.
They are a diaspora people in the Japanese people cluster of the East Asian Peoples. Their primary religion is Shinbutsu-Shugo, and they primarily speak Japanese.

Fast facts
- Country
- Panama
- Population
- 2,300
- Affinity group
- Asian Pacific Rim Peoples
- People cluster
- Japanese
- Primary language
- Japanese (jpn)
- Primary religion
- Shinbutsu-Shugo
- Strategic Progress Index
- No Longer Unreached
- Evangelical
- 2% or Greater but Less than 5%
- GSEC
- 2% or Greater but Less than 5% Evangelical
- Lostness priority
- Minimally Reached People Group
- Region
- Central America, Americas
Where they live
Gospel status
The Japanese are No Longer Unreached, which means 2% or more are evangelical Christians. In GSEC terms, this people group is greater than or equal to 2% evangelical.
- Congregations exist Yes
- Church planting in the last two years No Churches Planted
Next steps for the Japanese
- Pray for the churches among this group to grow in faithfulness and maturity
- Equip believers to reach the unreached peoples around them
- Send out laborers from this people to the nations
Primary religion
Shinbutsu-Shugo · Ethnoreligion
70% adherents
Primary language
Japanese · Japonic family
100% speak Japanese
Gospel resources in Japanese
- Bible available
- JESUS Film available
- Radio programs not available
- Gospel recordings available
- Audio resources available
- Bible stories not available
Films
Bibles
- Japanese Contemporary Bible · video
Find more at the JESUS Film Project, Bible.com and Faith Comes by Hearing.
Pray for the Japanese
- Ephesians 5:8. Pray that those walking in darkness will turn to the light and live as children of light.
- Romans 10:14–15. Ask God to send messengers, so that people can hear, believe and call on the name of the Lord.
- Matthew 9:37–38. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest field.
- 2 Timothy 2:2. Pray for faithful local leaders who will teach others, so that the church multiplies.
Japanese in other countries
The same people (ROP3 104189) is reported in 20 other countries.
| People group | Country | Population | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japanese | Japan | 119,590,000 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Japanese | Brazil | 1,745,000 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Japanese | United States | 1,530,000 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Japanese | China | 172,000 | Unengaged and Unreached |
| Japanese | Peru | 168,000 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Japanese | Canada | 82,500 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Japanese | Australia | 57,000 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Japanese | Singapore | 43,000 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Japanese | Argentina | 41,000 | Unengaged and Unreached |
| Japanese | Germany | 25,000 | Unengaged and Unreached |
| Japanese | France | 24,500 | Unengaged and Unreached |
| Japanese | New Zealand | 21,500 | No Longer Unreached |
| Japanese | Bolivia | 21,000 | Unengaged and Unreached |
| Japanese | Malaysia | 17,000 | No Longer Unreached |
| Japanese | Hong Kong | 10,000 | Unengaged and Unreached |
| Japanese | Taiwan | 9,600 | Unengaged and Unreached |
| Japanese | Spain | 2,400 | Engaged yet Unreached |
| Japanese | Dominican Republic | 2,300 | Unengaged and Unreached |
| Japanese | Micronesia | 950 | Unengaged and Unreached |
| Japanese | Portugal | 700 | Unengaged and Unreached |
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