Survey: 70% of Japanese Households Lack Buddhist Altars Due to Lack of Necessity and Space

A survey of 500 respondents by NEXER and Una reveals that 68.6% of Japanese households do not have a Buddhist altar at home. The primary reason is a lack of perceived necessity (47.2%), followed by space constraints (21.6%). While 'mini' or 'compact' altars exist, 72.4% were unaware of them. The findings suggest a shift in values, where people now prefer memorial spaces that blend into modern interiors and do not impose a burden on daily life.