The city of Nagoya is part of a metropolitan area of over four million people. It was destroyed by the bombing of World War II, and was rebuilt as a modern, well planned city. Compared to the other metro areas of Japan, you’ll notice an abundance of trees, flowers, gardens and parks. Nagoya is known as the “Detroit” of Japan. Do you see all the Toyotas on the road? That’s because the world’s top car maker is right here in our back yard.

Nagoya is the third-­‐largest incorporated city (2.3 million) and the fourth most populous urban area (9.5 million) in Japan.

Nagoya is located on the Pacific coast of Japan. It is the capital of the Aichi Prefecture and is one of Japan’s largest economic ports. It sits right in the middle of the Chukyo Metropolitan Area – an area of 9.5 million people. As far as urban development and population size goes, Nagoya is a great deal like the city of Chicago. However, economically, Nagoya has been dubbed the ‘Detroit of Japan’. This is because Nagoya’s main source of revenue is the automotive industry. 44% of Japanese autos are produced here and it is harbors headquarters, manufacturing operations, and distribution points for companies like Toyota, Honda, Suzuki, Mitsubishi, Volkswagen, and General Motors.

The people of Nagoya can be difficult to get to know, but of course it’s dangerous to generalize. They say if you can succeed in business in Nagoya, you can succeed anywhere. Maybe there is a parallel in ministry. Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture is listed year after year as the most unreached part of Japan. The national average is one church for every 16,000 people; in Aichi, it’s one for every 26,000.

Currently there are four Mission to the World Teams in Nagoya.  We are currently serving on the Headquarter team, a team of missionaries throughout the country, although succumbed to Shiga Church as our day to day supervisors. 

About the Christ Bible Seminary Team

The vision of Christ Bible Institute (CBI) is: The Gospel of the glory of Christ cherished and proclaimed throughout Japan

The mission of Christ Bible Institute (CBI) is to: Equip Christians in Japan for the work of gospel ministry]

Ministries of CBI

Learn more about the history of the CBI Team!

Current MTW Missionaries on the Nagoya CBI Team (There are many other members of the team who are part of different mission organizations.)

  • Craig and Yumiko Chapin
  • Shannon Deboer (on HMA)
  • Mark and Rachel Kim
  • Karis Krieger
  • Matt and Caroline Newkirk (Seminary President)
  • Brett and Taylor Rayl (Team Leader)
  • Thomas and Kristin Wong (on HMA)
  • Mark & Esther Jeong

About the NEXT Team

Current Missionaries on the Nagoya NEXT Team

  • Brooks and Riva Cain
  • Rachel Bauserman

About the Nagoya Arts Network International…a CAT Team Member

Current Missionaries on the NANI Team

  • Peter and Diane Bakelaar
  • Holly Wallace (intern)

About the Nagoya Church Planting Team

“Equipping Japanese to Reach the World.”

History of the Nagoya Team

The Nagoya team was started in 1987 when the Japan Presbyterian Church helped lead the Nagoya team to its present location in an urban area on the east side of Nagoya. Two church plants were started within a few years under the leadership of MTW missionary, Bruce Young. In 1995, MTW missionary Wayne Newsome became the team leader, and since that time two more church plants and an international school have been started.

In May 2008 the Nagoya team divided into two separate teams.  The teams now are divided in the the Church Planting team, led by Wayne Newsome, and the Theological Education team, led by Brett Rayl, formally Michael Oh.

Current Missionaries on the Nagoya, Japan Church-Planting Team