Makito was brought up in Japan, with short spells in the UK and Australia. He then moved to Australia for his tertiary education. After working as a primary school teacher for a number of years post-university, he studied at Moore Theological College in Sydney, completing his Batchelor of Divinity and Master of Arts in Theology degrees.

Makito has served in a variety of ministry roles including ministering to those with intellectual disabilities, preaching in English and Japanese, and working as a staff worker with the Australian Fellowship of Evangelical Students. In addition he has also worked in church administration and in the translation of theological material into Japanese from English. He came to Japan in February 2023 as Associate Director of Samurai Projects and became the Director later that year.

The population of Japan is ageing and declining and, sadly, churches in Japan are following the same trend. A significant percentage of Japanese pastors are over the age of 70, and according to some estimates around 50% of all churches in Japan will be without a pastor by 2030. There is also a lack of Christians who are able and motivated to reach out to others with the good news of Jesus, creating a huge need to raise up more gospel workers.

Makito loves to share and entrust to others what has been handed down to him - through his Christian parents and grandparents, as well as all those who have invested in him throughout his life at various stages - and he continues to serve in a variety of ways in Japan, all with the aim of equipping the saints both young and old, for gospel service, by the word of God (Ephesians 4:11-12).

Makito’s current roles include:

• The Director of Samurai Projects, a word-ministry apprenticeship program, aiming to train the next generation of Bible teachers across Japan, in partnership with local pastors and churches (Facebook/Instagram).
• The chair of Mark Drama Japan, which seeks to share the Good News concerning Jesus Christ through a dramatic representation of the Gospel according to Mark (Facebook/Instagram).
• Translator/editor with TREE (Translating REformed Essentials) a translation ministry that focuses on translating quality theological books into Japanese (you will soon be able to get copies of some of Makito’s work from our shop).

Makito is sent by Sydney Japanese Evangelical Church, and is in partnership with several churches in Sydney including St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Cremorne, and The Bridge Church Macquarie Park. 

Makito would love to hear from you. In particular, he would really appreciate your partnership in prayer and finances.

To partner with Makito in prayer, please sign up for his prayer letters by filling in this form:

To partner with Makito financially please click the following button and follow the instructions:  

Partner with Makito financially

And check out this video which introduces the work of Samurai Projects: