MORE JAPANESE CATHOLICS Conversions Increasing

Conversions in Japan are increasing in war-time, according to a report just issued from the mission of Nilagata.
Last year in Japan proper the number of Catholics increased by 4,272, and 220 adult baptisms were administered. In Korea the increase in Catholics is 8,095. The greatest number of conversions in Japan itself have taken place in large cities like Tokyo and Osaka, and they are to be found especially among young university students. puzzled by the increasingly perplexing problem of modern life, and among women who seek the consolations of true religion amid the anxieties of war.
Japanese Priests Mobilised The total Catholic population of Japan amounts to 283,491. Five Japanese priests and about 20 seminarists have been mobilised because of the war, and some of these, including the son of Admiral Yamamoto, have been killed in action. The active and vigorous Catholic Press includes a weekly newspaper, Nippon Katorilcku Shimbun, and reviews such as Koe and Katorikku.
Catholic films are to be seen in Japan, and the Government wireless allows occasional Catholic programmes. The coronation ceremonies of Pius XII were relayed in Japan, when the Catholics had the privilege of hearing over the air the Apostolic Blessing Urbi et Orbi.