Faith Across Frequencies: Tracing the Development of a Missionary Radio Program in Japan, Kirisuto e no Jikan, 1948–1968*

This article examines the annual reports of the Japan Mission of the Presbyterian Church in the United States to trace its involvement in radio evangelism in postwar Japan. While radio evangelism was well established in the US, its prevalence in Japan emerged alongside the rise of commercial broadcasting in the 1950s. In 1952, Southern Presbyterian missionaries launched Kirisuto e no Jikan (The Hour for Christ). The multimedia approach and partnerships with local church leaders to effectively broadcast the program offers insight into how religious organizations in Japan adapted and utilized sound technology. Moreover, the development of this radio ministry reflected broader shifts in PCUS mission strategies, particularly those articulated in the 1962 Montreat Consultation. Over time, a cooperative committee of Japan Mission members and national church clergy was formed to oversee Kirisuto e no Jikan. This study situates these efforts and negotiations within the changing landscape of postwar global missions.