Mission life: THE KUKMIN DAILY

New Translations of Bible Recently Published in Japan

2018-01-31 14:37

Newly translated versions of the Bible have recently been published in Japan. At the end of last year, the “New Japanese Bible 2017” (新改譯, New Japan Bible Publishing Society) came out. And this coming December, the “New Interconfessional Translation Bible (新共同譯, Japan Bible Society) will be published. These are the two official Bibles of the Japanese Church. The New Bible is used mostly in evangelical circles, while the New Interconfessional Bible is used by ecumenical circles.

On January 28, browsing in the religious section at Kinokuniya Bookstore in Shinjuku, Tokyo, I found various versions of the Bible (photo). The New Japanese Bible was palm-sized. According to the bookstore, the medium- and large-sized Bibles will be available early next month.

It has been 47 years since its first edition was published in 1970, and now the New Japanese Bible has been completely revised. The new Bible has preserved the evangelical perspective as its principle in translation, while sufficiently responding to changes in modern Japanese language.

The New Interconfessional Bible, to be out by the end of this year, was translated by 18 denominations and groups including the Roman Catholic Church and the Protestant churches. It is known to have been translated into modern Japanese that is easy and refined. Among the translation committee members are poets and singers whom the scholars and translators can consult.

Introducing this Bible, the Asahi Shimbun (newspaper) reports, “This project of repeated revision over decades has reflected the changes in Japanese and social circumstances.” It is anticipated that 80% of Japanese churches will use this Bible.

Although the Christian evangelization rate in Japan is a mere 0.44%, there is a diversity of Bibles. Besides the New Japanese Bible and the New Interconfessional Bible, there are a colloquial version, a written language version, a Franciscan version, and even an Orthodox version. Five years ago, a “Creator Lord” version was published, using the term “Creator Lord” (創造主) instead of “gami” (神, “ghost”). In addition, there are many pocketbook Bibles published by general-interest publishing companies.

What is the likely reason for so many versions of the Bible in Japan? In general, the Japanese people love books. Regardless of whether they have faith or not, their intellectual curiosity makes them interested in reading Christian scriptures. In this characteristic, according to analysis by some missionaries, the Japanese are similar to the Berean Jews appearing in Acts 17. The Bereans were refined and took the scriptures seriously.

There is also the influence of Japanese Christian writers such as Ayako Miura and Shusaku Endo. Miura testified in her “Old Testament Stories” that the Bible was close to her, and in “While the light lasts” (光あるうちに) she explained Christian faith and thought.

In contrast to the active Bible publications, Japanese Christians do not yet feel familiar with the practices of QT (quiet time) or of reading the Bible cover to cover. The Bible transcription (copying the Bible) also seems somewhat strange to them. They say the introduction of QT in Japan was largely influenced by the Korean church. I pray that there will be many ways for the Korean church to help the Japanese church.

Reporter Sangmok Shin (smshin@kmib.co.kr), from Tokyo, with Yeara Ahn-Park (yap@kmib.co.kr)


Original Article in Korean:
[미션 톡!] 열도에 다양한 성경 출간 붐 까닭은…: 日 요즘 새 번역 성경 잇달아 선봬

Popular Articles

Total Mission Kuki
Yoido Full Gospel Church

Banners

2013 WCC Myungsung church