Japanese Paradox: Secular State, Religious Society

Abstract

The evolution of Japanese religious attitudes mirrors to a great extent the changes in relations between the religious institutions and the state. Between the Meiji era and today these changes have been considerable, particularly since the Japanese military defeat. Before American occupation, the hegemony of state religion (State Shintoism) paradoxically alienated people from religious organizations. After the dismantling of Japanese “theocracy” and the separation of the state from the church, Japanese people rediscovered religion in the social and private sphere. Put another way, Japanese citizens rediscovered their gods thanks to the divorce of state and religion.