Comment

Comment by Zack M on March 3, 2012 at 2:20am

Hi there.  I am new to this site and it seems not many Japanese natives are around.

As a native Japanese, I verify Drew's comment.  In a nutshell, most practice Buddhism (Japanese sects) and Shintoism at the same time just as tradition and culture they belong to.  Wikipedia has a more or less accurate description under the title "Religion in Japan".  So it is not that exciting or provoking to be atheist in Japan.  People are so easy-going about religion.  Cheers!

Comment by Crism Kamehameha'oe on August 20, 2010 at 10:48am

hi there! new to this site and it seems only one group of atheists from Japan. glad that there is.

Comment by Drew on January 5, 2009 at 1:40am

I do not live in Japan, but have ties there. I am studying religious theory and Japanese religions in the university now.

If you don't know much about the Japanese religious climate, it's fairly simple: Most don't profess religion, but perform religious acts to "kami" or polytheistic gods in Shinto shrines and to "hotoke" or Buddhas/ancestors at Buddhist temples regularly. Most Japanese consider religion a part of culture and history, but not related to ethics, consciousness, or belief beyond the physical ritual.