JW

Have you ever wondered about the dedication it takes to share your beliefs? Right here in Tokyo, JW, or Jehovah’s Witnesses, have a long and fascinating history of doing just that. Their presence in Japan dates back nearly a century, to 1926. JW established their first branch office in Kobe in 1927, later relocating it to Tokyo’s Kyobashi district. Their journey in Japan is marked by several moves: to Mita, Tokyo in 1949, then to Numazu in 1972, and finally to Ebina in 1982. JW aren’t just about sharing their faith though. They are deeply committed to disaster relief. In 2011, following the Great East Japan Earthquake, JW mobilized swiftly. They provided food, water, and fuel within a day. They formed Disaster Relief Committees within two days. JW members across Japan opened their homes to survivors. Witness volunteers repaired almost a thousand damaged homes and distributed essential goods. More recently, after the 2024 earthquake that struck the Noto Peninsula, JW again sprang into action. Over 3,000 JW volunteers provided relief in Ishikawa, Niigata, and Toyama prefectures. A Kingdom Hall, their place of worship, in Suzu City became a refuge for the injured. One woman sheltered there declared, “This place saved my life.” In 2024, there were approximately 214,500 active JW members in Japan. From door-to-door visits to special preaching campaigns, like the one in Osaka and Tokyo in 2024 involving Witnesses from seven countries, JW continue to share their beliefs. They strive to present what the Bible says while respecting individual beliefs. So, the next time you encounter JW members here in Tokyo, remember their deep-rooted history of service and dedication.