Question:
I am soon moving to Tokyo from the U.S., so from a Christian/American standpoint of people who actually have been to Japan before, is it dark? I don't think it is.. but some random and VERY NEGATIVE guy that goes to our church says that Japan is a very dark country, and there are no Christians there. Well, there are, about 2% or a couple million people are Christian, so that's bull. I read online that Japanese don't even really care about religion. I also heard from this negative guy that Japanese are very standoffish... And I understand they are shy, but are they really standoffish, or ignorant to Americans? Along with this, the negative guy said that Japanese hate foreigners, and will deny services, hate, and discriminate against foreigners.
Now, my question is, is this true? I do not believe this man, but I am just making sure, and clarifying. This man is very old, and probably doesn't realize we are no longer in WWII and the fact that Japan and America aren't tense anymore. I hear Japanese people actually like Americans!! This is the 21st century, and he obviously doesn't realize this. Thanks ahead of time.
Answer:
First off there's one random crazy guy.
Yes it is true that 1%-2% are Christian, it isn't shocking to know that a good portion of the world doesn't believe in Christianity. He speaks the truth there.
Japanese people and religion is a very very complicated matter. While Shintoism and Buddhism are part of Japanese culture and religion, the Japanese practice them more for the cultural aspect then the religious aspect. Polls of shown that most Japanese people tend to be more agnostic or atheist.
Japanese people are standoffish if they do not know you, but I would say you can find this in many other countries int he world including places in America as well.
Just like living in America, does it really matter what the other person believes? Believe in what you want to believe, the good thing about Japan is they won't care, it's a private matter to them. If your neighbor in America was Jewish, and your other neighbor was Muslim in America, would it really be a serious issue? For most people no. For some, yes.
Now does this all mean Japan is a BAD/DARK country? NO of course not.
Interestingly Japan has some of the lowest crime rates in the entire world. Japanese embrace community and group work and keeping the peace. Japan has been a peaceful country since the end of WW2, and the largest contributor to the United Nations. Not bad for a non-Christian country. Interestingly in America, there are people getting killed every day, it is not Uncommon to turn on the news and see someone shot and killed, robberies the whole works. In Japan crime does of course exist, but no where on the scale you have in America, or the UK.
