Japanese politics and Christianity

[thomas]

Oliver Jia takes a look at Christmas in Japan and the role of Christianity among the Japanese elites.

Barely 1% of Japanese people now identify as Christian, and if you asked the average Tokyo commuter to explain the Eucharist, they'd likely just stare. Yet, suppose Japan is unique among the East Asian countries because it remains almost devoid of Christians. In that case, this is also a society where people wear their faith lightly and where Buddhism and Shintoism have coexisted for centuries.

Over the years, Japan has boasted a remarkable nine Christian prime ministers, or 14% of the total. That includes Shigeru Ishiba, the current incumbent. Each found God differently. Takashi Hara was baptised Catholic after studying at a French parochial school in Tokyo. Taro Aso, for his part, seems to have inherited his faith from family.

Why Christmas Eve is date night in Japan

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