Religion
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Shinto and Buddhism are Japan's two
major religions. Shinto is as old as the Japanese culture, while Buddhism was
imported from the mainland in the 6th century. Since then, the two religions
have been co-existing relatively harmoniously and have even complemented each
other to a certain degree. Most Japanese consider themselves Buddhist,
Shintoist or both. Religion does not play a big role in the everyday life of most Japanese people today. The average person typically follows the religious rituals at ceremonies like birth, weddings and funerals, may visit a shrine
or temple on New Year and participates at local festivals (matsuri), most of which have a religious background
major religions. Shinto is as old as the Japanese culture, while Buddhism was
imported from the mainland in the 6th century. Since then, the two religions
have been co-existing relatively harmoniously and have even complemented each
other to a certain degree. Most Japanese consider themselves Buddhist,
Shintoist or both. Religion does not play a big role in the everyday life of most Japanese people today. The average person typically follows the religious rituals at ceremonies like birth, weddings and funerals, may visit a shrine
or temple on New Year and participates at local festivals (matsuri), most of which have a religious background
![Picture](/uploads/1/6/6/5/16653686/5495558.jpg)
Japan enjoys full religious freedom and minority religions such as
Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Sikhism are practiced. Figures that state 84% to
96% of Japanese adhere to Shinto and Buddhism are not based on
self-identification but come primarily from birth records, following a
longstanding practice of officially associating a family line with a local Buddhist temple or Shinto shrine.[5][6][7][8] About 70% of Japanese profess no religious membership,
according to Johnstone (1993:323), 84% of the Japanese claim no personal
religion. In census questionnaires, less than 15% reported any formal religious
affiliation by 2000. And according to Demerath (2001:138), 65% do not believe in God, and 55% do not believe in Buddha.
According to Edwin Reischauer, and Marius Jansen, some 70–80% of the Japanese
regularly tell pollsters they do not consider themselves believers in any
religion.
Christianity, Islam, Hinduism and Sikhism are practiced. Figures that state 84% to
96% of Japanese adhere to Shinto and Buddhism are not based on
self-identification but come primarily from birth records, following a
longstanding practice of officially associating a family line with a local Buddhist temple or Shinto shrine.[5][6][7][8] About 70% of Japanese profess no religious membership,
according to Johnstone (1993:323), 84% of the Japanese claim no personal
religion. In census questionnaires, less than 15% reported any formal religious
affiliation by 2000. And according to Demerath (2001:138), 65% do not believe in God, and 55% do not believe in Buddha.
According to Edwin Reischauer, and Marius Jansen, some 70–80% of the Japanese
regularly tell pollsters they do not consider themselves believers in any
religion.