Japan Christians marking martyrs
The event in Nagasaki was organised by the Roman Catholic church and a cardinal sent by the Pope is attending.
It commemorates some of many thousands of people who lost their lives when the ruling shoguns were attempting to wipe out Christianity in Japan.
Today, fewer than 1% of Japanese people identify themselves as Christian; most follow Buddhist or Shinto faith.
About 30,000 people, including a Vatican envoy, were expected to attend the event in a baseball stadium in Nagasaki, southern Japan, making it the largest beatification ceremony ever held in Asia.
Beatification is a step on the way to Catholic sainthood.
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It commemorates some of many thousands of people who lost their lives when the ruling shoguns were attempting to wipe out Christianity in Japan.
Today, fewer than 1% of Japanese people identify themselves as Christian; most follow Buddhist or Shinto faith.
About 30,000 people, including a Vatican envoy, were expected to attend the event in a baseball stadium in Nagasaki, southern Japan, making it the largest beatification ceremony ever held in Asia.
Beatification is a step on the way to Catholic sainthood.