Cardinal Tarcisio Kikuchi cautions that Japan faces a subtle “polite persecution” undermining religious freedom amid rising secular and cultural pressures.
Newsroom (02/03/2026 Gaudium Press ) Japan’s archbishop of Tokyo, Cardinal Tarcisio Isao Kikuchi, has warned that a quiet but persistent “polite persecution” threatens the nation’s constitutional guarantees of religious freedom. His remarks, made in an interview with Crux Now, reflect growing concern among religious leaders that Japan’s deep-rooted secular culture and a narrow interpretation of the separation between religion and state are isolating faith communities from public discourse.
The Japanese cardinal’s comments came in response to recent statements at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, marking its 20th anniversary. At that gathering, Monsignor Daniel Pacho, Undersecretary for the Holy See’s Section for Relations with States and International Organizations, voiced alarm over what the Vatican calls “new rights.”
According to Pacho, emerging human rights claims—such as those related to abortion, assisted suicide, gender identity, and sexual orientation—risk eroding traditional rights like the freedom of religion and conscience.
A Subtle Form of Exclusion
Cardinal Kikuchi said that while Japan’s post–World War II Constitution firmly protects religious liberty after the wartime experience of State Shinto, modern misunderstandings of secularism have led to an unspoken marginalization of religion.
“In today’s Japan,” Kikuchi explained, “religious activities are welcomed as long as they remain confined within temples or churches. But when the Church speaks publicly, even on issues of human dignity or peace, it is often accused of becoming ‘too political.’”
He described this climate as a “polite persecution”—a social pressure that discourages believers from expressing moral or spiritual views in the national conversation. In Japan’s culture of conformity and harmony, overt religious advocacy is frequently viewed as disruptive.
Faith in a Secular Landscape
Japan’s highly secular society, where Christian minorities comprise less than one percent of the population, presents unique challenges for the Catholic Church. Sunday worship often competes with school or community events, making consistent practice difficult.
According to Kikuchi, non-traditional forms of religiosity—especially cultural festivals or Buddhist ceremonies—receive public recognition, while organized religion remains seen as marginal or foreign. “Religion,” he said, “is not recognized as a moral authority. As long as we stay inside church walls, we are considered harmless.”
Caritas and the Catholic Mission in Asia
As president of Caritas Internationalis, Cardinal Kikuchi connects Japan’s discreet faith scene to a broader Asian and global mission. He emphasized that Caritas’ humanitarian efforts must remain rooted in Catholic principles of human dignity and solidarity, even when political sensitivities demand restraint.
After the 2011 earthquake and tsunami, for example, some advised Caritas Japan to downplay its Christian identity to avoid misunderstanding. Kikuchi rejected that approach: “Our work must be grounded in our faith values,” he said.
Collaboration and Hope for the Future
Although Japan has ceded its former image as an economic leader, Kikuchi noted the nation’s enduring capacity to support its Asian neighbors through aid, education, and intercultural dialogue. The younger generation’s international outlook, he observed, positions the Church in Japan to play a bridge-building role in global Catholicism.
“The Church in Japan,” he reflected, “has a long history reaching back to 1549. Together with a new, multicultural generation, we can help carry forward the mission of the Church throughout Asia.”
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Crux Now
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