10: Religions in Japan

Exercise 1.Look at the picture and talk about it.

Exercise 2. Read the Introduction.

Religion has, without a doubt, played a significant role in the development of the Japanese history of civilization. As far as religious beliefs are concerned, the Japanese draw a heavy influence from other Asian spiritual dogma, especially those of China and Korea, the most eminent being Shinto and Buddhism. In recent times, practitioners of Confucianism, Islam and Christianity have bred among the Japanese as well.

Exercise 3. Answer the questions below.

1. What are the major religions in Japan?

2. Do Japanese observe sacred rites as part of religion or are they merely tradition?

3. What other religions exist in Japan nowadays?