Geography

Kagoshima is located in the southernmost area of Kyushu and consists of two sections, the area on the island itself and the many islands in the adjacent ocean called the Koshikijima Isles and Satsunan Islands. Kagoshima borders Miyazaki on the east and Kumamoto on the north, while it faces the Pacific Ocean in the south and the East China Sea in the west. The complex Kagoshima Bay has the Osumi Peninsula on the east and the Satsuma Peninsula with Sakura Island on the west. Kagoshima has many volcanoes, Mt. Kirishima, Mt. Sakurajima, and Mt. Kaimondake. The temperature is mild, precipitation is high, and the biggest natural enemy is typhoons. The mainland of Kagoshima experiences occasional snowfalls.

Industry & Economy

Kagoshima's gross agricultural product ranks as the best in western Japan and fourth in the nation. Satsuma (sweet potato) is the old nickname for the prefecture, which produces 30% of the nation's yield. Poultry and pigs are also important products. In forestry, the Yakushima cedar trees are considered the prefectural specialty. In the fishing industry it is top in the nation for the cultured yellowtail tuna and second for cultured eels. The manufacturing industry has not yet bcen developed.

Cultural Background

Kagoshima, along with Miyazaki, was one of the major ancient cultural centers on Kyushu Island. Due to its geographical isolation, its ancient cultural characteristics have been retained. They are traditional, conservative, and male dominant. They are known to be very emotional. They easily become zealous, but just as easily lose interest. After the Meiji Restoration closer ties with the central government were established. These ties helped to raise the educational standards to their present level.

Religious Milieu

The people of Kagoshima show an average interest in religion, but a fairly high percentage of people indicate a preference for a particular religion, with Buddhism and Shintoism getting about equal votes. Historic religious locations include the Kirishima Shrine and the Terukuni Shrine which enshrines the Lord of the Shimazu clan. Francis Xavier landed in Kagoshima in 1549 marking the beginning of Catholicism in Japan. Many became Kirishitan. However, many paid the sacrifice of martyrdom or were forced to recant of their faith during the years of severe oppression. Because of the Satsuma Rebellion, Protestant mission work had to wait until the end of the Meiji era, when a number of churches were started.

The Mission

The number of Protestant churches has increased from 56 to 75 in the past ten years, a 34% increase. At that rate there would be 100 churches within the decade. At the present, there is one church for every 24,000 people, but it could be one per 18,000 in ten years.