Disclaimer: I am no expert, have never been to Japan, and know no Japanese people. That said, I've read or watched several pieces [1] which state the complex relationship Japan has with religion.
It is said that modern Japanese see Shinto as one of the factors that drove into the Asia Pacific War and World War II. Aum Shinrikio [2], a sect that did terrorist attacks also contributed to giving religions a bad name. Christianity is practiced only by a very small minority and modern Shinto has been reduced to consist almost exclusively of ritual, with little belief for gods, souls, or the afterlife.
I'd be interested in hearing more perspectives on this from anyone with first hand experience, or that just knows better.
It is said that modern Japanese see Shinto as one of the factors that drove into the Asia Pacific War and World War II. Aum Shinrikio [2], a sect that did terrorist attacks also contributed to giving religions a bad name. Christianity is practiced only by a very small minority and modern Shinto has been reduced to consist almost exclusively of ritual, with little belief for gods, souls, or the afterlife.
I'd be interested in hearing more perspectives on this from anyone with first hand experience, or that just knows better.
[1]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJmWVWCdTYo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gr0hxKznLTA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gZHuFtuzdg
[2]. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aum_Shinrikyo