Why Do Japanese Insist on Calling Themselves Non-religious?

Video Description

“Out of all the videos I’ve made, this is the one I’ve put the most effort into making...“ If you ever ask a Japanese person about their religion, I bet that most people (including myself) would answer that they don't practice any religions. According to a survey taken in 2018 by the ISSP (International Social Survey Programme), about 62% of Japanese people answered that they don’t have a religion they believe in. As I’ve explained in my video about the philosophies of the tea ceremony, talking about religions is considered a taboo in Japan in the first place, along with topics about money and politics. But doesn’t it seem like a contradiction that most Japanese still do the new year’s greetings (and many other ceremonies) at shrines, funerals at temples, weddings at churches, and even celebrate Christmas, Valentines, and Halloween? Why do most people in Japan say they are not religious? So today, I will explain about the history of religions in Japan by breaking it down into 5 points. 1. The introduction of Buddhism and the beginning of Shintoism 2. The 6 new Buddhism sects 3. The exclusion of Buddhism and introduction of Confucianism 4. Shintoism deifies the emperor 5. Shintoism is excluded from education At the end of the video after introducing the history, I will state 3 of my opinions about today’s main question: “Is Japan really non-religious or not?” This video will be perfect for those studying about Japanese history and religions, and also may help you with your communication with Japanese people. [Time codes] 0:00 Let's START! 2:13 1. The introduction of Buddhism and the beginning of Shintoism 5:55 2. The 6 new Buddhism sects 8:48 3. The exclusion of Buddhism and introduction of Confucianism 14:44 4. Shintoism deifies the Emperor 18:41 5. Shintoism is excluded from education 19:46 Is Japan really non-religious? 24:10 Today's conclusion ▼Who is Shogo? What is this channel about?▼ https://youtu.be/nhEamHfzyyg ▼Related videos in this channel▼ -How omiyamairi and okuizome are actually done! Baby's first shrine visit & first meal ceremony https://youtu.be/oQ05vFHdbVI -The stories of 5 most famous men who committed seppuku! Minamoto no Yoshitsune, Oda Nobunaga, etc. https://youtu.be/qF24Y8TRT9o -3 reasons why the shogun/shogunate didn't defeat the Emperor/Imperial Court! The history of Japan https://youtu.be/XsuO0i-89uM ▼MY DREAM▼ https://youtu.be/EgowIV_kagA “To make every Japan lovers’ dream come true,  by making Japan a more secure, comfortable, and safer place for everyone to visit, study, and live in” I will be using the profit I gain from this channel at restaurants, hotels, and cultural facilities in Kyoto to introduce them. The more you watch the videos on this channel, Kyoto and Japan will become a more exciting place, and you can support your own and others’ dreams in the future even more. ▼Join our Membership▼ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn7DCb9ttrcw9h3vh9dfnVw/join ●Membership benefits -Limited behind-the-scene videos https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=UUMOn7DCb9ttrcw9h3vh9dfnVw -Weekly live stream -Priority reply to comments Every single yen we earn from this membership, we will be donating to groups of people who are fighting to solve social problems in Japan, the Japanese schools where foreign students can study, or use it to spread the works of people working with traditional culture in Japan to preserve the arts they are doing. ▼[Sub-channel] “Shogo’s Podcast”▼ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZAe1VayWxp5NLO4Net78DA Please subscribe!! The perfect channel to learn about Japanese culture and history in your spare time, during your walk to school or work, and when you are cooking or doing house chores. Not only will I be covering the topics in this main channel, but also some topics that you will only be able to enjoy in the sub-channel, like answering questions I receive, and my opinions towards some of the comments. ▼[Listen to the real voices of the Japanese] "Voices from Japan series"▼ … ▼[For YOU traveling to Kyoto] "Kyoto Hidden Gems" series▼ https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpIWoYf9KNFU2YmZtyfKJi9-MCpycAPWy ▼Instagram▼ https://www.instagram.com/lets_ask_shogo/ *Please ask me questions through the DM here!（⚠️I do not use e-mail） ▼TikTok▼ www.tiktok.com/@lets_ask_shogo #whatisthereligionofjapan #whatisshintoism #whatisbuddhism #christianityinjapan #confucianisminjapan