In the "Country Worshiping Gods at Shrines"... Japan's Shrines Decline Due to Low Birthrate and Aging Population [Nichiyobi Nichi Culture]

In Korea, many people visit fortune-tellers at the end or beginning of the year. Especially these days, there have been reports that the number of people going to fortune-tellers has increased even more due to the current situation. Just as people in Korea visit fortune-tellers, in Japan, people visit shrines at the end or beginning of the year. Activities like drawing 'Omikuji' to predict one's fortune for the year all take place at shrines.

However, even in Japan, the number of shrines is decreasing due to the effects of low birth rates and aging population. It is said that mergers and acquisitions (M&A) are even taking place between shrines. What is happening in Japan, a country famous for its shrines dedicated to gods? Today, we share the story of Japan's shrinking number of shrines.

원본보기 아이콘

Yahoo Japan Original cited a survey by the Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs on the 31st, revealing that 668 shrines across Japan have decreased over the past nine years. The number of shrines has dropped from 81,237 to 80,569 in 2024. This issue has arisen due to low birth rates, aging population, and young people moving to the capital, Tokyo, leaving rural areas empty.

When a shrine closes due to lack of people, it undergoes M&A with another shrine. Since a shrine is essentially equivalent to a religious corporation, this is possible. As mergers continue, there are cases where one priest is responsible for 30 shrines. Although merged shrines are in a better situation, the merger process is cumbersome and costly, so many shrines are simply abandoned as people leave.

A Japanese law firm's website. It introduces content about mergers and acquisitions (M&A) between shrines and states that it can handle administrative procedures. Sakura Law Office.

원본보기 아이콘

This has started to change the landscape of festivals and culture. Many Japanese festivals originate from rituals regularly held at shrines, which are impossible to prepare without manpower. For example, the Toyama Sangetsu Festival in Nagano Prefecture, known for its 800-year history, was originally an event where only men prepared everything from cooking to dancing. However, as young people left the area and the average resident age reached 70, this rule was abolished. Now, women who help with preparations and participate in the festival are allowed. Although some elderly locals still oppose this, the organizers decided that preserving the tradition is more important.

Also, festivals that were mainly conducted by local residents are changing as people from other regions join in. For instance, the festival held at a shrine in Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture, devastated by the Great East Japan Earthquake, is now sustained by volunteers from outside the area due to a shortage of residents.

A community traditional event cooperation site operated by Fukuoka Prefecture. It introduces local government festival information and recruits participants for matching. Fukuoka Prefecture.

원본보기 아이콘

It is fortunate if there are still people, but as even this becomes impossible, many festivals are disappearing. According to a survey by Mainichi Shimbun, out of 1,737 intangible folk cultural properties designated by local governments, 93 are currently suspended.

Because of this, a mutual aid service for festivals has recently emerged. This idea was devised by local governments, and in Fukuoka Prefecture, a mutual aid system for traditional local events was established in August 2023. It is a service that organizes information about local festivals and matches people who want to participate.

The shrinking number of shrines in Japan ultimately leads to changes in local traditional festivals. This phenomenon reflects how low birth rates, aging population, and population concentration in metropolitan areas contribute to cultural extinction.

© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.