ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses a range of issues that relate to beliefs and practices in Japan. The chapter begins by considering what is meant by ‘religion’ and whether it is different in Japan. The chapter then looks at an example of memorialisation relating to the world’s deadliest single-plane crash, which happened in Japan in 1985. Having discussed the memorialisation of a disaster, the following section looks in more detail at how Japan responds to disasters. As a counterpoint to the seeming importance of memorialisation and what it signifies, the next section looks at an area where memorialisation is seemingly ignored through considering issues related to suicide. This section also questions why there seems to be so much foreign interest in suicide in Japan, particularly one place where it happens. The next section considers one of the symbols that is said to relate to Japanese beliefs to life and death, namely the sakura cherry blossom. The chapter then changes focus to look at the way in which certain practices and beliefs can be seen in business operations. The chapter concludes with a ‘Reflection’ section that asks you to consider some additional issues that relate to the topics that have been covered in the chapter.
