Izanami: Foreigners visiting Japan seem to think that the Japanese are very religious. Izanagi: There are about 80,000 Shinto shrines and 77,000 Buddhist temples in Japan. Incidentally, there are about 56,000 convenience stores and about 7,000 Christian churches, (as of 2021). Izanami: It is said that more than 100 million people visit shrines or temples for hatsumoude during the 1~3 days of New Year. Izanagi: This means that about 80% of Japanese people visit the shrine or temple. Some people visit both shrines and temples. Izanami: Many households have both a kamidana to enshirine Shinto deities and a butsudan to worship Buddhist statues and ancestral tablets. Izanagi: Prior to COVID-19, the pilgrimage to Mecca was attended by approximately 2 million people each year. With the number of hatsumoude worshippers surpassing that number, it is not unreasonable to assume that the Japanese are deeply religious. Izanami: Christianity and Islam are monotheistic religious, but many Gods coexist in Japan. Izanagi: Most Japanese hold their weddings in chapels, celebrations such as shichigosan at shrines, and funerals in the Buddhist style. They are rarely visited except for these events. Izanami: For this reason, the Japanese are sometimes criticized as being unreligious and unscrupulous. Izanagi: Conflicts arising from religious conflicts are not uncommon. Such conflicts are less likely to occur in Japan, a country of many Gods that has embraced a variety of religions. Izanami: To put it bluntly, we can say that Japanese people choose God for a purpose and use God only when necessary. Izanagi: It is also believed that the Japanese surroundings fostered the idea of coexistence. Izanami: Japan has four distinct seasons with marked climate changes throughout the year. And from a Western perspective, it is an island nation located in the Far East. Izanagi: It is an isolated island nation, so there is no way to escape. Nature, which brings disasters, is accepted for what it is. Izanami: It is thought that from such surroundings arose the idea of Shinto, the worship of all natural forces that transcend mankind, including rivers, mountains, and rocks, as deities. Izanagi: In temples, Buddhist statues are enshrined as the principal object of worship. In Shinto, many shrines regard mountains, rocks, and other natural objects as deities. Izanami: There are also many shrines that use mirrors as their deities. There are many theories as to why this is so, but most Japanese do not care of the identity of the deity. Izanagi: The many Gods in Japan are not always at their shrines. It is said that they attend a general meeting of the Gods held in Izumo (Shimane Prefecture) every October. Izanami: There is a Japanese proverb that says, “In times of distress, ask God for help.” Izanagi: For Japanese people, God may be more like a parentʼs home to which they turn for help in times of distress or trouble, rather than an object of faith.