[xrd]

Wait, Japan is one of the few countries where the majority of the people are members of two religions (Buddhism and Shintoism)!

https://www.statista.com/statistics/237609/religions-in-japa...

I do think those religions are safe refuge for "atheist" tendencies and would agree with your point.

It's funny that I attended a Christian school when I lived in Japan as a high school student, but never spoke the language well enough to have any really deep spiritual discussions, sadly.

[david-gpu]

My understanding is that the Japanese are rather keen on following (or adopting) religious rites without being believers. A modern Japanese person may have a Shinto coming-of-age ceremony, marry at Christian church, and have a Buddhist funeral. All without really being Shinto, Christian or Buddhist in any meaningful sense of the word. In fact, I would argue this superficial syncretism happens precisely because of their lack of belief in any of it.

Sure, if you look for them you will find some devout Japanese, but they are very much in the minority. In every practical sense, the Japanese are exceptionally secular compared to e.g. the US.

[hunta2097]

https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/least-rel...

Japan is #4 @ 40% religious.

[bowsamic]

The main Buddhist sect in Japan is Jodo Shinshu which was almost outlawed for anti nomianism