Jesuit In Japan

It is widely believed Christianity arrived in the mid-16th century with Portuguese and Spanish Roman Catholic missionaries, including the Jesuit Francisco Xavier. Christianity was repressed during the 16th century, seen by the government as a threat to national security, with the shogunate fearing foreign traders and missionaries would destabilize the culture. It was banned in 1587. Those who continued to practice Christianity, called "kakure kirishitans" (hidden Christians), were persecuted if outed, even crucified.

Link (here) to the full article on Japanese Christianity

Painting of Jesuit Saints Ignatius and Francis