Accepting applicationsContemporary Japanese Society from a Religious Perspective

For many people living in Japan, "religion" is often perceived as something distant from their daily lives. However, religion maintains a distinct presence in contemporary Japanese society. This is visible in life cycle rituals such as weddings and funerals, annual community events like local festivals, shrines and temples closely tied to tourism, the religious culture woven into popular media like manga and anime, and various issues surrounding politics and religion. In this lecture, we will provide an accessible explanation of the relationship between “religion and society” from the perspective of the sociology of religion.

Lecturer
Takahashi Norihito/ Department of Sociology, Faculty of Sociology

Completed the doctoral coursework without degree at the Graduate School of Social Sciences, Hitotsubashi University. Holds a Ph.D. in Sociology.
Major publications and works include: The Frontier of Religion and Society: Contemporary Japan from the Perspective of Sociology of Religion (co-authored, Keiso Shobo, 2012), Immigrants, Religion, and Homeland: The Experience of Japanese Religions in Modern and Contemporary Hawaii (Harvest-sha, 2014), and Religion and Multicultural Coexistence in Contemporary Japan: Exploring the Relationships between Immigrants and Local Communities (co-edited, Akashi Shoten, 2018).
Served as President of the Japanese Association for the Sociology of Religion (2022–2024). Has also held various leadership positions, including Board Director for the Japanese Association for Religious Studies, the Association for Japan Journal of Migration Studies, and the International Society for the Sociology of Religion. Specializes in the sociology of religion and migration/refugee studies.

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Course introduction
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Course outline

Lecture nameContemporary Japanese Society from a Religious Perspective
Date and timeJuly 12, 2026 (Sunday) , 01:00 PM (JST) 〜 July 12, 2026 (Sunday) , 02:30 PM (JST)
Course name2026 Toyo University Online Course - Insight into Japan
Lecturer Takahashi Norihito
Department of Sociology, Faculty of Sociology
TargetJapanese proficiency equivalent to JLPT N2 or above
* Participation from abroad is highly welcomed.
* All courses will be conducted in Japanese only.
Capacity1,000 participants per lecture (first-come-first-served basis)
Streaming service Zoom
How to attend online
FeeFree
Application periodJune 15, 2026 (Monday) , 12:00 AM (JST) ~ July 11, 2026 (Saturday) , 11:59 PM (JST)
Precautions
  • All display times are in Japan time.
  • All courses will be conducted in Japanese only.
  • You can freely choose if you wish to attend one or multiple lectures.
  • Those who complete the post-attendance questionnaire will have access to the materials used in the class.
  • The lecture videos will be provided if you apply for the course even if you cannot attend the lecture of the day.
Course introduction
FAQ
Apply