OSAKA (AsiaNews): The Japanese Church has finished preparing the application for the beatification of Ukon Takayama, a feudal lord, or daimyo, who, after his conversion to Catholicism, played a pioneering role in the spread of Christianity in Japan in the 16th century.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Japan presented a 400-page application to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints containing the results of research into his case.