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Lesson 3 of 4
  • Year 10

The place of religion in Japan

I can analyse whether the idea of religion makes sense when examining Japanese worldviews.

Lesson 3 of 4
New
New
  • Year 10

The place of religion in Japan

I can analyse whether the idea of religion makes sense when examining Japanese worldviews.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Surveys consistently state that most Japanese identify as non-religious.
  2. However, many Japanese people commonly engage with both Shinto and Buddhist ceremonies in their lives.
  3. Religion is often seen as more about cultural identity rather than belief in Japan.
  4. Smart's dimensions can be applied to the Shinto tradition in deciding if it is a religion or not.

Keywords

  • Dimensions - for Smart, these are the different aspects or parts that make up a religion

  • Kami - 'spirit' or 'superior' in Japanese and refers to all spiritual entities worshipped in the Shinto religion

  • Mushukyo - in Japan this refers to 'non-belief', describing people who don't affiliate with organised religions

  • Shinto - literally means 'the way of the gods' and is seen as the indigenous 'religion' of Japan

Common misconception

That everyone in Japan is not religious.

Many people state they are 'mushukyo', which is often translated as non-religious but often means that they are not affiliated to just one religion exclusively, but take part in rituals and practices from across different religions.


To help you plan your year 10 religious education lesson on: The place of religion in Japan, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Students can research what happens in various yearly festivals in Japan and see the Shinto, Christian and / or Buddhist influences on these.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

5 Questions

Q1.
What did Ninian Smart propose to help study religion?

two commandments
Correct answer: seven dimensions
one definition

Q2.
Which of the following can Smart’s dimensions be applied to?

Correct answer: theistic, non-theistic and secular worldviews
only theistic religions
only Christianity

Q3.
Smart used as a secular example to show the dimensions at work.

Correct Answer: nationalism, Nationalism

Q4.
What is one key strength of Smart's dimensional model?

It overlooks diversity.
Correct answer: It offers a structured method for examining religion.
It supports a single religious tradition.

Q5.
One criticism of Smart’s model is the 'cabinet of '.

Correct Answer: curiosities, Curiosities

Assessment exit quiz

5 Questions

Q1.
What word do many Japanese use to describe themselves?

secularist
kami
Correct answer: mushukyo

Q2.
A major tradition in Japan is ...

Correct Answer: Shinto, shinto

Q3.
Many people engage in both Shinto and ceremonies.

Correct Answer: Buddhist, buddhist

Q4.
Why do some Japanese people choose Christian weddings?

Correct answer: for blessings
for the traditional music
to become church members

Q5.
According to Ninian Smart's framework, what does Shinto place less emphasis on compared to some other religions?

sacred spaces
ritual practice
Correct answer: detailed doctrinal belief