Dear Parents,

Your son or daughter is considering joining the Summer Impact Japan, a two month cross cultural experience in Japan. The Navigators are committed to training and developing university students who will not only impact Japan but will in turn be deeply changed and experience growth that will benefit them the rest of their life.

The following are the most commonly asked questions we have received from parents over the past 14 years:

Will my child be safe?

Overall, Japan is a very safe society. Crime rates are lower than the US. However, Japan does experience earthquakes, which are not a comfortable idea for anyone. The truth is that everywhere you go has risk. The staff do everything that we can in order to create a safe environment for a meaningful summer experience.

Who are the Navigators?

The Navigators is an interdenominational, non-profit organization dedicated to helping people navigate spiritually. For more than 65 years, we have helped people to know Christ and make Him known. The Navigators international headquarters is located in Colorado Springs. For more information on The Navigators, click here.

What about financial integrity?

The Navigators is a charter member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability, an organization which exists to ensure the financial integrity of Christian ministries. Audited financial statements are available on request.

Why Summer Impact Japan?

Over the past 14 years over 230 university students have had a life changing encounter with one another, the ancient culture of Japan, and God's heart for the nations. Japan is a land of great challenges and great opportunities. Hopelessness, despair and suicide plague the youth culture. At the same time this generation is perhaps the most open to the message of the Gospel than to any other from the past 30 years.

How will my son or daughter be developed?

SIJers receive valuable cross-cultural and leadership training. This program also requires participants to take initiative and push themselves beyond their normal expectations of themselves. Team members learn to accept and love one another in spite of their differing personalities and backgrounds. Members learn to see life through the lenses of a radically different culture, and learn to communicate the message of Christ, not in a western wrapper, but in a form suitable and relevant to this people group. These skills and perspectives will benefit them for a lifetime in the workplace and help to prepare your child for their futures after college.

Sample Resume

The following is an example of what your son or daughter may put on his or her resume at the end of his/her summer with the SIJ:

  • Studied principles of cross-cultural communication, world-view analysis and conflict resolution.
  • Raised $4500, Traveled to Japan with a team for a eight-week cross-cultural project.
  • Planned and Lead cross cultural activities for Japanese university students.

What about the finances?

Because The Navigators is a non-profit organization, all SIJers are responsible for raising their annual budgets through the donations of friends, churches and businesses. They will receive thorough and practical training in fund-raising. Because of the initiative needed and responsibility taken, the skills learned in fund-raising are some of the most helpful for the future.


What other parents have said:


"When our son told us he wanted to do a summer short term mission trip, we were thrilled that he wanted to take part of his summer and serve the Lord instead of making money. We told him that finances would be hard, but if he was willing - then God would provide.”

“When our son told us that he would be going to Japan we were happy because Japan was not a third world country and even though he would be so far away, he would not have to deal with the disease, pestilence, and poverty. Japan is a very advanced nation.”

“The cost to go to Japan for short term seemed unattainable, however God owns everything and the money for the trip came in very fast and people were very generous.”

“My husband and I had attended a mission conference shortly before this trip and the mission pastor said many students do not go to the mission field because the parents talk them out of it. God gave us our children to raise for him, who are we to hold them back when he has a great plan for their lives. ”


Please feel free to contact us regarding further questions or concerns you may have about Summer Impact Japan.

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The Navigators is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and a member of ECFA, the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.