What religion(s) predominate in Japan? What percentage is Christian? Athiest?

Question

I know I spelled "atheist" wrong. I didn't realize until after I submitted the question.

Answer 1

No kidding ... there was a poll of religious affiliation in Japan a while back ... the numbers were something like:

Christian 4%
Confucian 77%
Buddhist 79%, and
Shinto 82% (!!)

... obviously, apart from the Christians, most Japanese who consider themselves relgious do not feel you only have to be one thing.

They tend to go to different spiritual facilities for different things. For example: Confucian for birth celebrations, Shinto for a wedding ceremony, and Buddhist for funerals.
.

Answer 2

Half the Japanese belief is Shinto, which the native animist religion and was centered on the belief that the Japanese royalty were direct descendants of the Sun God, Ameratsu. Shinto is one reason the Japanese are such superb craftspeople in that they think that each log or barrel of beer has a "spirit" that needs to be respected.
They also believe in Buddhism, which was popularized further during the Samurai era. One saying is "married Shinto, buried Buddhist"
There is strong sense of nihilism and loss growing from the Royal family's forced(by the Occupying Allied Commanders) confession that they were not Divine that has also resulted in many Japanese being essentially Atheist or embracing Christianity.

Answer 3

Shinto and Buddhism are popular in Japan.
But the definition of religion in Japan is very different from the west. Basically both are polytheism. There are tons of Gods.

And as for Shinto, there is no statutes or symbols of God.
Just a mirror in front of you to introspect yourself and search your heart.
http://www.tsubakishrine.com/ceremonies.html
http://www.tsubakishrine.com/

Answer 4

Shinto, I think.