Fukui Ken

Capital:	Fukui City	Size:	4,192 km2
Population :	826,407	Density:	197 people/km2
Cities:	7	Churches:	P 43, C 5
With 1 church:	1	Church per pop.:	1:19,219
Towns/Villages:	28	Worship attendance:	932
With no churches:	19	Attendance/church:	22
With 20,000 pop. & no churches:	O	Missionaries:	7

Geography

The northern part of Fukui consists of the Ono Basin and the Fukui Plain, with the Kuzuryu River running through the area. The southern area consists of Tsuruga Bay and a western lace-like shoreline. Complex mountain ranges run from the northeast to the southwest. The prefecture shares its border with Ishikawa, Gifu, Shiga, and Kyoto. A ragged shoreline in the northwest faces the Sea of Japan, creating a unique natural beauty which houses two national parks, the Kaga Coast and the Wakasa Bay. Due to the mountains and plains, this prefecture experiences heavy snow in winter and rain all year round, making the weather as complex as its geography.

Industry & Economy

The three Hokuriku prefectures, Fukui, Ishikawa and Toyama, are equally small, ranking lower than 30th in size. Despite its small size, Fukui as well as Toyama rank among the highest in rice production. The textile industry is equally strong. However, with a few exceptions, most are household centered small factories. Over 90% of the nation's eyeglass frames come from Sabae City. Traditional industries include Japanese paper manufacturing in Imadate.

Cultural Background

As with the others in the Hokunku district, the people of Fukui are willing to endure difficulties and are generally positive about their present situation. They are friendly and kind to others. Possibly because of being close to the Kansai area, Fukui is more open to cultural change than the other two Hokuriku prefectures. However, many people hold on to old traditions and an emphasis on family ties.

Religious Milieu

There are more Buddhist temples per population in Fukui than any other prefecture in the nation. Echizen Yoshizaki was the base region for Jodo Shinshu Buddhist missions in the Hokuriku district and is located just inside Fukui prefecture on the Ishikawa border. The percent of Buddhists is the second highest in the nation next to Toyama, due in part to the Eiheiji Temple, headquarters of the Sodo sect founded by Dogen. Traditional Buddhist influence is so great that even Soka Gakkai has few believers here. Traditional festivals and activities also are an important part of community and home life.

The Mission

When the newer Buddhist sects came to Fnkui they were strongly resisted. But the persistence of these early believers shows that it is possible to bring change even to this difficult area. Christians must be willing to sacrifice for the gospel as much as they did. During the Meiji era a brave missionary group from the Canadian Methodist Church brought the gospel here. Since the War era the Free Christian Mission from Norway has especially worked hard in Fukui. These testify to what hard work can do.