Francis Xavier

1506–1552
Co-founder of the Society of Jesus; opened the Japan mission, 1549
Also written: Francis Xavier · Francisco Xavier · フランシスコ・ザビエル

The Navarrese co-founder of the Society of Jesus who landed at Kagoshima in 1549 and opened Japan's first Christian mission. He left after 27 months convinced that converting Japan required converting China first, and died the next year awaiting entry to it.