[MMM]

Jacob, I respect your reasons for wanting to go to Japan than many others. If God wants you in Japan, then that is the way it is.
However, I do think you need to know a reality that the article you posted doesn't reveal.

Of the 30 percent of adults who claimed to have a religion, 75 percent considered themselves Buddhists, 19 percent Shintoists and 12 percent Christians, according to the Gallup Organization.

Start at the beginning. Only one in three Japanese even claim to have a religion. This doesn't mean "active" or "practicing" but just "have". of those 12 percent say "Christian". That's about 3% of Japan. Also keep in mind that some people think having a Christian-style wedding (very popular in Japan) "makes" them "Christian". I have heard others say "celebrating Christmas" makes them "more Christian". This entails the Santa Claus aspect. Jesus has very little to do with Japanese Christmas.

I would still maintain that less that one percent of Japanese citizens have ever attended a Christian church service.

Japanese youth revealed even more alarming statistics. Of the 20 percent who professed to have a religion, 60 percent called themselves Buddhists, 36 percent Christians and Shintoists.

Look at the last five words. 36 percent of the 20 percent (less than 7 percent total) said they were Christian and Shinto? So how many are Christian and how many Shinto? Why are these two groups squished together? Could it be because the number of Christians is so minuscule?

Within an estimated population of 127.4 million in Japan, academics estimate that 20 to 30 percent of adults actively practice a particular faith, but the Agency for Cultural Affairs reported in 2003 that 213,826,700 citizens claimed a religion, according to the U.S. Department of State's latest International Religious Freedom Report.

So almost 200% of Japanese claim a religion?

Most Japanese are suspect of organized religion so be prepared for that when you go. I think your plight is respectable, but I think this article is misleading.