Japan

Spiritual Climate of Japan

Freedom of religion is guaranteed to all by the constitution. Over 70% of Japanese claim no personal religion, but the majority follow the demands of idolatrous and ancestor-venerating Buddhism, and rituals of polytheistic Shintoism. Historically, Japanese identity is deeply tied to Shintoism, and formal dissociation from this connection is extremely difficult in a land where conformity rules. Many also follow some of the hundreds of newer religious movements that are off-shoots or interpretations of these.