• Shinto is Japan’s indigenous religion: a complex of ancient folk belief and rituals which   perceive the presence of gods or of the “sacred” in animals, in plants, and even in things which have no life, such as stones and waterfalls.  As well as Shinto, individuals of Japanese origin may adhere to Buddhism.
  • Shinto has little theology and no congregational worship. Its unifying concept is Kami, inadequately translated as “god”.
  • There are no Shinto prayers as such but many Japanese will follow Buddhist meditative practices.
  • When undergoing medical examination and treatment, or being comforted by strangers, Japanese people would prefer to be touched by a person of the same sex.
  • There are no religious objections to blood transfusions or organ transplants.
  • Baths are considered preferable to showers and the bathroom should be separated from the toilet.
    • Generally Japanese people prefer to eat rice.
    • Japanese people do not have a custom of fasting.
    • Japanese will wish to meditate as death approaches.
    • Generally, Japanese people would prefer cremation to burial.
    • Funeral services are administered according to Buddhist rites.