Church Members Participate in Japan's Largest Scout Gathering 

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Volunteers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints participated in the 19th Nippon Scout Jamboree by hosting a booth as part of the event’s faith development program. Volunteers from the Japan chapter of Saints in Scouting, local Church leaders, full-time missionaries, and the Asia North Area Public Affairs team welcomed Scouts and shared information about the Church, its beliefs, and its values. The jamboree, held August 4-10, 2026, in Jinseki Kogen, Hiroshima Prefecture, brought together more than 10,000 Scouts, leaders, and volunteers from across Japan and around the world for a week focused on adventure, cultural exchange, and friendship.

Sharing Faith Through Scouting

Approximately 20 volunteers from Saints in Scouting helped organize and staff a booth in an area of the jamboree dedicated to religious and faith-based organizations. Scouts were invited to visit booths of their choice over multiple days to learn about different religious traditions and beliefs. Eighteen groups representing Buddhist, Shinto, Christian, and other faith communities active in Japan participated.

More than 1,000 Scouts and leaders visited The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ booth during the week. One of the most popular attractions was free shaved ice, which helped create a welcoming environment for conversation and friendship. Volunteers and missionaries also shared Articles of Faith cards, Light the World Giving Machine cards, For the Strength of Youth guides, and other materials with interested visitors.

Many conversations centered on faith, service, duty to God, and the shared values found in both Scouting and the teachings of Jesus Christ. For volunteers, the event provided opportunities to build friendships with Scouts and leaders from throughout Japan and abroad.

Religious Meetings Draw Hundreds of Scouts

On Friday, August 7, the jamboree schedule included a special period in which Scouts could choose to attend meetings hosted by various religious organizations. More than 300 Scouts participated in meetings hosted by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Akinori Ito, first counselor in the Japan Tokyo South Mission Presidency, opened the gathering by highlighting parallels between the principles of the Scout Oath and the teachings of Jesus Christ.

The Scout Oath includes three core duties:

• Duty to God and country  (To do my duty to God and my country)　
• Duty to other people  (To help other people at all times)
• Duty to self  (To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight)

Ito compared the principles of the Scout Oath with the teachings of Jesus Christ found in Matthew 22:36-39. In these verses, Jesus taught the two great commandments: to love God and to love one's neighbor as oneself. Ito explained that loving God corresponds to fulfilling one's duty to God; loving one's neighbor corresponds to helping other people at all times; and loving one's neighbor "as thyself" includes caring for oneself physically, mentally, and morally. He explained that these principles create a direct connection between the Scout Oath and the teachings of the Savior Jesus Christ.

Other speakers included Koichi Hirokane, a Church leader in Okayama, Yukihiko Hattori, a Church leader in Tokyo, and four young full-time missionaries.  Each shared personal experiences that strengthened their faith in God.

Scouts who attended the meetings also received a “Faith Development Award Challenge card” and “Christian Religious Award card” prepared by Saints in Scouting volunteers. These materials invited Scouts to reflect on their daily acts of service, learn about the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, and explore how faith can strengthen character and a spirit of service toward others. The cards also outlined opportunities for Scouts who wished to continue working toward the Scout Association of Japan's Christian Religious Award after returning home.

The “Christian Religious Award” card also emphasized that the purpose of the Religious Award program is to help Scouts develop faith, gratitude, and character as part of their Scouting journey, and not to promote any particular religion. Scouts who wished to learn more were encouraged to visit a nearby congregation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, meet with local Church leaders and missionaries, continue learning about the teachings of Jesus Christ, participate in youth activities, and continue serving in their families, Scout units, and communities. The card also included a message addressed to local Church leaders to help support interested Scouts in their learning and participation.

Building Relationships

The Church’s Asia North Area Public Affairs team participated in the jamboree, supporting volunteers, missionaries, and relationship-building efforts. A highlight of the event was the opportunity to meet, learn from, and exchange ideas with leaders from other faith traditions participating in the jamboree.

During the jamboree, representatives of other faith organizations expressed positive views about the operation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' booth. Because large numbers of Scouts regularly stopped by to enjoy the shaved ice and interact with missionaries, some remarked that they looked to the Church's exhibit as an example of how to attract and engage participants. In addition, several individuals who have participated in jamborees for many years said they look forward to interacting with the missionaries, including some who are Eagle Scouts, whenever they attend the event.

Although Scouting has not been an official Church program since 2020, Church Public Affairs representatives, missionaries, and Saints in Scouting volunteers participated in the jamboree to support positive youth development and promote shared values of service, leadership, character, and faith.  The event provided opportunities to build relationships with Scouts, leaders from the Scout Association of Japan, representatives of other religious organizations, and community partners involved in one of Japan's largest youth gatherings.

Throughout the week, Scouts explored what it means to fulfill their duty to God, serve others, and grow as individuals. By connecting these Scouting ideals with the teachings of Jesus Christ, Church volunteers, missionaries, and leaders helped create opportunities for meaningful learning, service, and friendship that will extend beyond the jamboree itself.