Worldview of Japan

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 Understanding worldview is extremely crucial to understanding culture. An individual's worldview creates the reality that they live in. Cultural expressions are then perceived through the context of the worldview. The worldview in Japanese culture may be expressed subtly now, however the expressions go deep. Japan is considered a secular society because there is a separation between church and state. The Japanese government, much like the United States, cannot favor one religion over another. But just because Japan is considered a secular society, this does not mean that the worldview is atheistic. There is a long history of religion in Japan, with Shintoism having been Japan’s indigenous religion starting in the sixth century, and Buddhism also being introduced around the same time. 


Religion and Spiritualism in Japan

The dominant worldview in Japan could be described as spiritualistic. Although religion plays a large role, spiritualism would be the best way to describe Japanese culture because emphasis is placed on the rituals and assumptions, rather than a formal doctrine of religion. Shintoism does not have a doctrine, but its key assumptions include harmony and balance, death being natural, and spirits in nature. This worldview expresses the importance of harmony in community, and emphasizes nature and spirit through both Shintoism and Buddhism. The term matsuri describes the civil or religious ceremonies that several Japanese people participate in, specifically for the Shinto religion. Torii gates also have their roots in Shintoism; Torri gates being one of the most identifying features of Japan. Generally, Japanese culture follows Buddhist ideals and customs for funerals. Obon, an annual Buddhist festival in Japan, is extremely popular, even as more people identify as non-religious. 

A Secularist Nation

Japan is highly religiously homogenous, being one of the most religiously homogeneous nations in East Asia. Other religions such as Christianity and Islam do exist in Japanese culture, but they are not culturally expressed and are a small minority. The atheist worldview can be seen culturally expressed through Japan’s public institutions; government, schools, and workplaces do not have religion involved. There is a strong tolerance for religion in Japanese culture even though they are very religiously homogeneous. This is because Shintoism and Buddhism are not exclusive religions - you can practice both religions with no conflict. There is also very little conflict because Japan practices religion for “practical” purposes rather than focusing on faith. The rituals and ceremonies are seen as a way to express culture, but they are not seen as actual divinity and godly truth.

Sources:

https://spice.fsi.stanford.edu/docs/japanese_religions

https://www.japan-experience.com/plan-your-trip/to-know/understanding-japan/japanese-funerals

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Bon-Japanese-festival

https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/japanese-culture/japanese-culture-religion

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