Japan is seeing a surge in sales of temples and shrines, raising concerns among government officials and religious communities about the intentions of potential buyers. Buddhist temples, some of which are centuries old, are increasingly being targeted not because of their religious or cultural significance, but because of the tax advantages that come with owning religious property.
Benmou Suzuki, a Buddhist monk at the 420-year-old Mikaboyama Fudoson Temple in a remote village in Gunma Prefecture, 100 kilometers northwest of Tokyo, said he was recently approached by two men posing as real estate agents. They asked him if Suzuki would be interested in selling his temple. Suzuki said he suspected their interest had less to do with the temple itself than with the tax exemptions that come with religious properties.
"There are people who want a temple, even a mountain temple like this," Suzuki said. "Given the value of the religious society status, this temple could bring in a lot of money." (Reuters)
Japan's declining population and declining interest in religion have left many temples struggling to survive. Rural areas, such as Sanbagawa, where Suzuki Temple is located, have seen their population steadily decline. Sanbagawa has a population of only 500, but it has three Buddhist temples, a Shinto shrine, and a church. As donations from worshipers decline, many temples and shrines struggle to maintain their properties.
According to the Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs, there are about 180 religious sites registered as religious societies nationwide. However, a growing number of them are inactive, meaning they have not held religious services for more than a year. The number of inactive societies has increased by a third to more than 000 by the end of 4. This has raised concerns that religious properties are being sold for non-religious purposes.
Ownership of religious sites provides significant tax benefits. Businesses operating under the auspices of a religious corporation that provide services such as funerals are exempt from taxes. Other businesses, such as restaurants or hotels that operate religious properties, may also benefit from lower tax rates. As a result, these properties become attractive to buyers looking to evade taxes or even engage in money laundering.
Cases of temples or shrines being turned into commercial areas have sparked public outrage. In Osaka, a temple sold in 2020 was demolished and dozens of graves were moved to make way for a new real estate project. A similar case in Kyoto, where a temple was turned into a parking lot, also made headlines.
The Agency for Cultural Affairs has stepped up efforts to address these concerns. Last year, 17 religious organizations were voluntarily dissolved and six were ordered to do so. The agency expects those numbers to rise as it steps up monitoring of inactive religious sites. When major earthquakes occur, which often damage temples and shrines, agency officials travel to affected areas to warn religious groups about the risks of selling to questionable buyers.
Takao Yamamoto, an Osaka broker specializing in the sale of religious properties, told Reuters news agency that interest in buying temples and shrines was booming. Some religious sites, particularly those with profitable cemeteries, were being offered at multimillion-dollar prices. He also noted that foreign buyers, particularly Chinese, had shown growing interest in acquiring such properties.
"A religious business license alone can bring in 30 million yen ($210)," Yamamoto said. "Anyone can buy independent sites as long as they have the money... even foreigners can buy them." (VOA)
Despite the growing interest in the sales, some religious leaders, like Suzuki, remain committed to preserving their temples. Suzuki stressed that he has no intention of selling and is instead seeking to raise funds to maintain his temple. “Temples are places where local people gather and bond. We just can’t get rid of them,” he said. (VOA)
Japan’s constitution guarantees freedom of religion, making it difficult for the government to impose stricter rules on the sale of religious goods. Changing the laws governing the purchase of religious sites could be seen as an infringement on these constitutional rights, a concern that has made authorities hesitant to take further legislative action. As Japan grapples with these challenges, the future of its temples and shrines remains uncertain. While efforts are being made to curb bad-faith purchases, demand for religious goods continues to grow, with buyers prioritizing financial benefits over spiritual significance.
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As sales of Japanese temples and shrines surge, crackdown on dishonest buyers (Reuters)
Japan cracks down on dishonest buyers as temple, shrine sales surge: VOA
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The article Japan’s temples and shrines at risk of misuse due to growing sales appeared first on Buddhist News Global.
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