Japan

The Jewish presence in Japan dates back to the 16th and 17th centuries, when Jews arrived as merchants employed by the British and Dutch navies. A Jewish community was established in the 19th century with a synagogue founded by the turn of the century. During WWII when the Japanese allied with Germany, many Japanese Jews relocated to China. After the war, the Jewish population in Japan was increased by the Jewish troops in the American forces stationed in Japan.

With a current population of 1,000 to 4,000 Jews as of 2015, Japan’s Jewish community is largely made up of expatriates.The Jewish Community of Japan facilitates Jewish cultural and religious life in the country. Although the country has no Jewish day schools, Chabad offers adult educational courses and Hebrew lessons as well as twice-weekly lessons for adolescents.