PART 2
To better understand the situation with which Japanese youth are groping today, an overview of the Japanese society at large is necessary. The following is focusing on the difficulties young people are having in human relations right from one’s family. Despite the sophisticated technology of Internet and portable phones, it seems young people are not only unable to communicate, but even afraid of direct contact and relations.
Part 1 - Part 2
II. Young People’ s Reaction
Searching for Meaning in Life, Searching for a Place in Life
In this complex and complicated society, young people strive and grope for meaning in life. Such search is not an easy thing at all. Many end up being swallowed up by the consumerism mentality: money, enjoyment, sex. It may seem a paradox, yet it is reality: surrounded by all kinds of comforts, young people are not at ease with themselves and society.
Young people are the more vulnerable victims of the oppressing complexity of the actual Japanese system. This system does not allow for healthy human relationship, does not even give it time to foster them. Peer pressure at school, competition at work, keeping up with the social reputation, brings about a constant and heavy burden on daily life.
Recently, a very common expression is “mental disease” by which something is not working out well in the individual and its relationship with others. It takes all sorts of expressions: from violence to fear of the other; to be for a long time indoors without going outside, or having contact with people.
At this point, I would like to mention the pop music world and its phenomenon of young women singers as a portrait of the situation of young Japanese. Two themes very much sung and used as song words are following expressions: Seeking the meaning of life and searching for one’s place in life. In the pop music world, young singer women are monopolizing the market with their CDs.
The most popular is Hamazaki Ayumi (22). On the web there are may home pages related to Hamazaki. Here one can find interpretations and impressions of many young people regarding her lyrics. What catches their hearts is songs whose words are like out-loud monologue regarding one’s emotion and feelings and needs.
III. Japanese Church’s response to the issues
The 21st century was taken by the Episcopal conference as an occasion to write a pastoral letter, "message" as it is said in the title, about the theme of life. It is the result of studies, research and statistics on the various aspects of life such as conception, death, family ties, suicide, death penalty, sexuality, bioethics, and environment. It shows a thorough picture of today society and its ways of dealing with life.
However, as far as youth is concerned, at the national level there is not yet a commission for the youth. Presently, the youth themselves are organizing a national commission (twice a year). Last year for the first time, Japan participated in the World Youth Day as a group. Next year is going to be the same.
There are many initiatives at local level such as overseas experiences, gatherings and happenings; however, there is the lack of a general organization and coordination of such activities. As a consequence there is also a lack of communication, especially information about abroad happenings such as this one (some youth groups never got the information). At a pastoral and local level, full time ministers are required (usually already busy priests are put in charge also of youth groups). At times young people wonder if they are really considered a priority in the pastoral work.
It is also a fact that young people do not attend mass; moreover they are leaving the church. The Church does not seem to understand them, to respond to their needs as young people living in the 21st century. Young people feel the tendency of the Church to include them in the already existing parish structures, which may be not fit for young people.
As far as faith is concerned, they are not looking for an all-answers faith that comes from above. They see their faith challenged by the daily living issues and doubts. They need to be guided in the process of personalization and appropriation of the faith they received when they where small children. But this needs to be done in a way fitting to today young people.
The Church has to begin this guiding process by going toward young people, meeting them where they are at in life. So did Jesus, who walked the dusty roads of Galilee under the scorching sun.
(From Xaverian News)