What Japanese Politics Tells us about Religion

Japan ranks as one of the world’s least religious countries, where as few as one in ten self-identify as having religious faith. It is therefore striking to note the influence on Japanese politics wielded by religious actors. Religious groups and ideologues are now formulating educational curricula, social policies, and defense postures which are promoted by the government. How can we better understand the category “religion” in light of politics in Japan today?

Speaker
Levi McLaughlin is Associate Professor at the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at North Carolina State University. He received his Ph.D. from Princeton University after previous study at the University of Tokyo, and he holds a B.A. and M.A. in East Asian Studies from the University of Toronto.

Moderator: Björn Jerdén, Head of UI's Asia Programme

The Japan seminar series is jointly organized by the European Institute of Japanese Studies at Stockholm School of Economics, the Asia Programme at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs, the Department of Asian, Middle Eastern and Turkish Studies at Stockholm University and the Swedish Defence University. It features monthly seminars on Japanese economy, politics and society. 

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