Daniel Slotta
Research expert covering Greater China
Ceremonial services industry in Japan - statistics & facts
Syncretism permeates Japan鈥檚 religious landscape as many of the country鈥檚 inhabitants adhere to Shintoism and Buddhism at the same time. In Japanese culture, there are multiple ceremonial occasions and rites of passage that are commonly observed. For instance, during the three days after New Year, people in Japan customarily visit a Shinto or Buddhist shrine to pray for prosperity and good luck. Another prominent annual event is the celebration of the coming-of-age that commemorates young people鈥檚 steps into adulthood. In Japan, as in most other cultures, weddings and funerals constitute the largest and most important ceremonial events. Consequently, the ceremonial services industry鈥檚 main pillars consist of the bridal and wedding market, and the funeral market, both of which have grown into sizable industry segments. The rituals built around these events are highly commercialized. Many services offered by priests have standardized prices, as the services are treated as commodities.
