Changes in religious rituals related to the end of life in Japan
Kenta KASAI, professor at Sophia University in Tokyo, presented his work on secular and religious end-of-life issues in Japan during a webinar on November 27, 2025. The webinar is now available for replay.
What are Japan's traditional views on death and religion? How have they evolved? How has the way Japanese people die changed? The recurring theme of this conference is how to guide the soul of the dying and properly treat their remains. Professor KASAI illustrates this reflection through the example of Buddhism. He discusses changes in religious and end-of-life rituals in Japan through three aspects.
First, he looks at secularism and secularization in Japan, in comparison with secularism in France. The Japanese maintain close ties with Buddhist temples for the management of funerals and burials. Many pay annual fees to temples for burial plots. Yet secularization is changing practices, and many people are losing their reference system when it comes to end-of-life rituals.
He also discusses the evolution of healthcare in Japan, with the issue of the transition from end-of-life in hospital to end-of-life at home, thanks to home clinic services. Patients and family members have to make many decisions (as part of advance care planning) that are disconnected from traditional religious references. Some hospitals or clinics call on volunteers to help with decision-making.
Finally, he mentions the changes in funerals. Indeed, these days, some Japanese are questioning the meaning of underwriting a funeral plot. It is possible to switch from subscription to a permanent prayer contract, which poses economic difficulties for temples.
You can find this webinar: