Shinto Shrine on Miyajima Island When we talk about differences in cultures, religion is often toward the top of the list. It's often clear where these differences are as well as how influential the dominant religion is. But once we start to talk about Japan, the subject of religion becomes more complicated than it may first appear.
| On the one hand, we see a country nearly covered in shrines and temples. But, at the same time we see a population proclaiming to have no religious affiliations. A survey conducted in 2000 about religion in Japan found that only about 16% of people identify themselves as religious. This is especially strange when we consider that many national holidays are of either Shinto or Buddhist origins. So, what exactly is going on here? |  A survey about religion in Japan taken in 2000. Sample size was around 240 people. Source: japan-guide.com |
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