Han Chinese, Wu in Japan

People Name:	Han Chinese, Wu
Country:	Japan
10/40 Window:	Yes
Population:	6,800
World Population:	81,174,900
Primary Language:	Chinese, Wu
Primary Religion:	Ethnic Religions
Christian Adherents:	10.00 %
Evangelicals:	5.00 %
Scripture:	Complete Bible
Ministry Resources:	No
Jesus Film:	Yes
Audio Recordings:	Yes
People Cluster:	Chinese
Affinity Bloc:	East Asian Peoples
Progress Level:

Introduction / History

The Wu Chinese language is more commonly referred to as the Shanghai dialect, but in fact Wu is spoken in a far greater area than just Shanghai. The Wu are counted as part of the Han nationality. Many of them moved to Japan to escape China’s extreme measures to combat Covid in 2020-23.

What Are Their Lives Like?

In China, the Wu speakers often face poverty. That is probably not the case in Japan. Many of China’s most affluent people now live in Japan.

There is a large Japanese community in Shanghai. They probably interface with the Wu speakers in Japan.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Most Wu Chinese do not practice any religion, although there has been a recent surge in interest in the spiritual practice of Qi Gong.

There were Nestorian churches in the region between Nanjing and Shanghai as early as AD 1279. At one time the Nestorians had seven monasteries in and around the city of Zhenjiang, now in Jiangsu Province. In the 1800s almost all missionaries to China commenced their work in Shanghai, which was the first port of entry for foreigners. This has resulted in the region having the highest concentration of Christians in all of China.

What Are Their Needs?

The Wu Chinese church needs to produce lasting fruit.

Prayer Points

Pray for the Lord to do a new work among men, drawing them to the King of kings.
Pray for the Lord to guide and protect their families.
Pray for the Lord to use Chinese Christians as salt and light to the Japanese.