Is Hikikomori (Extreme Social Withdrawal) a Global Epidemic?

Posted on January 14, 2020 by editor

In the late 1990s, just as home computers and internet access were becoming ubiquitous, people in Japan began paying closer attention to a severe form of social withdrawal—marked by the desire to be alone in one’s bedroom—that was becoming commonplace among adolescent boys. They called this form of extreme social withdrawal hikikomori.

Continue reading →
Posted in Japan Scene | Comments Off on Is Hikikomori (Extreme Social Withdrawal) a Global Epidemic?

…they have seen a great light

Posted on January 6, 2020 by editor

Fr. Bernard ONDAP OMI – Last December 26-27, 2019, the Japan Oblate Delegation, joined by four diocesan clergy from Takamatsu Diocese, came together for the annual Christmas at Nakajimacho Parish Rectory in Kochi, Japan. The simple yet very meaningful atmosphere started with the Eucharistic celebration presided by Bishop Suwa. In his homily, the Bishop empathized that we should recognize the light that God has given us in our day to day life. We face a lot of challenges as Missionaries and as a Church in Japan, but God never fails to give us that light which radiates hope.

Continue reading →
Posted in Delegation Articles, Japan Scene | Comments Off on …they have seen a great light

The Oblate Mission in Vietnam

Posted on January 2, 2020 by editor

(Bradly Rozairo, OMI) – The Missionary Oblates were allowed by the Communist government to enter Vietnam in 2010 to perform limited missionary work; they had been there since 2001. The Oblates are one of just a handful of religious congregations given permission to work in the country. Much of their work is pastoral in nature, but they also have outreach programs including overseeing the Bung Orphanage.

Continue reading →
Posted in Superior's Desk | Tagged , | Comments Off on The Oblate Mission in Vietnam

Childhood in Japan is certainly not getting any easier

Posted on December 29, 2019 by editor

The girl was 15, the teacher in his early 30s. He recognized her ability, encouraged her, befriended her, seduced her. He took her to a love hotel and said, “This is what grown-ups do.”

Continue reading →
Posted in Japan Scene, Right To Life | Tagged | Comments Off on Childhood in Japan is certainly not getting any easier

Babies born in Japan to drop below 900,000 in 2019 for first time

Posted on December 25, 2019 by editor

The number of babies born in Japan fell an estimated 5.9 percent this year to fewer than 900,000, the first time since the government started compiling data in 1899, the welfare ministry said Tuesday.

Continue reading →
Posted in Japan Scene, Right To Life | Tagged , | Comments Off on Babies born in Japan to drop below 900,000 in 2019 for first time

Journey From Advent to Christmas With Mary

Posted on December 24, 2019 by editor

When we imagine Mary making the journey to Bethlehem, we think of her as waiting for the Christ child. But she wasn’t waiting for Him. She was the only person who wasn’t waiting anymore. Yes, she was waiting for His birth, but she already knew Him. And not only did she know Him, but she knew Him in a way that only she could. With each of my daughters, I have enjoyed getting to know them before birth — getting to know their patterns of movement, what sounds they respond to, how often they sleep. Likewise, my daughters are getting to know me, nestled beneath my heart and listening to its beat.

Continue reading →
Posted in Editorials, Oblates | Comments Off on Journey From Advent to Christmas With Mary

My Experience of Christmas

Posted on December 17, 2019 by editor

(Bradly Rozairo, OMI) -Every year around this time the whole world gets ready to celebrate the birth of Jesus. We in Japan also remember Christmas when it enters the cold season and celebrate it as a festival.

Continue reading →
Posted in Superior's Desk | Comments Off on My Experience of Christmas

The Message of Advent is a Message of Justice for the Oppressed

Posted on December 13, 2019 by editor

The scripture readings for the season of advent tend towards the apocalyptic. I use the word in both senses here: in its original and etymological meaning of “revelation” (literally, unveiling) and in its more colloquial “end of the word” sense.  Prophets arise, calling people to repentance. Kingdoms are laid waste and despoiled, but a new kingdom is foretold. And judgment is coming.

Continue reading →
Posted in Editorials | Tagged , | Comments Off on The Message of Advent is a Message of Justice for the Oppressed

Thoughts on the Immaculate Conception

Posted on December 10, 2019 by editor

The immaculate conception refers to the dogma that Mary was conceived in the womb of her mother, Ann, without Original Sin. The Scriptural evidence for this dogma is, of course, the angel’s greeting: “Hail, full of grace” (Lk 1: 28). Mary is full of grace, both intensively and extensively, that is, at the moment of the greeting, and her fullness of grace extends back to the very moment of her conception – otherwise, she would not be truly “full of grace”.

Continue reading →
Posted in Editorials, Right To Life | Comments Off on Thoughts on the Immaculate Conception

Japan’s crime rate hits postwar low, but report shows rise in child abuse, domestic violence and offenses by the elderly

Posted on November 30, 2019 by editor

The transition from Heisei to Reiwa came at a relatively peaceful time, with the nation’s crime rate falling to a postwar low in 2018, an annual white paper released Friday by the Justice Ministry has shown.

Continue reading →
Posted in Japan Scene | Tagged , | Comments Off on Japan’s crime rate hits postwar low, but report shows rise in child abuse, domestic violence and offenses by the elderly