[2026 Latest] Survey on 'Butsudan Jimai' (Buddhist Altar Disposal) during Ohigan ~ 'Don't know what to do' is the top anxiety, about 60% of families have never discussed it ~

Survey Topics

Q1. Do you have a Buddhist altar in your home?
Q2. What do you plan to do with your Buddhist altar in the future?
Q3. What is your impression of 'Butsudan Jimai' (Buddhist altar disposal)?
Q4. What is the closest reason for considering Butsudan Jimai?
Q5. Have you discussed the handling of your Buddhist altar with your family?
Q6. Do you think there's a possibility of disagreement with your family regarding Butsudan Jimai?
Q7. What is your biggest concern if you were to perform Butsudan Jimai?
Q8. How do you plan to conduct memorial services after Butsudan Jimai?
Q9. What was the closest trigger for you to think about Buddhist altars?
Q10. What do you think will happen to Buddhist altars in the future?

Key Points

① Approximately half of households do not have a Buddhist altar

'No' accounted for 48.8%, slightly exceeding 'Yes' (45.3%). The trend away from Buddhist altars is accelerating, driven by the rise of nuclear families and changes in housing situations.

② The future of Buddhist altars remains undecided in about 70% of households

Combining 'Not yet decided' and 'Not in a position to decide myself' totals approximately 70%. In many households, discussions about the future of Buddhist altars have not even begun.

③ Approximately 60% of people have never discussed it with their family

'Never discussed' was 58.4%. Including those who haven't reached a conclusion, 76.6% of households have not achieved consensus, highlighting a lack of family dialogue.

④ The biggest barrier is 'lack of information', not cost or emotion

'Don't know what to do' was the top answer at 34.5%. More than cost or family understanding, not knowing the procedures or methods is preventing many people from taking action.

⑤ Buddhist altars will not 'disappear' but 'change form'

'Miniaturization/simplification' was the most common at 30.9%. Combined with 'Remaining in a changed form' (18.4%), about half believe they will 'continue to exist while changing', indicating a search for new forms of memorial services that integrate into modern life without being bound by traditional formats.

Survey Results

Q1. Do you have a Buddhist altar in your home?

・Yes 45.3%
・Used to have one but not anymore 5.9%
・No 48.8%

'No' accounted for 48.8%, slightly exceeding 'Yes' (45.3%). Adding 'Used to have one but not anymore' (5.9%), more than half of households currently do not have a Buddhist altar. The situation where households with and without altars are almost evenly split reveals the reality of a divided ownership status. Changes in family environment and lifestyle are likely underlying factors.

Q2. What do you plan to do with your Buddhist altar in the future?

・Maintain it 18.8%
・Considering disposal (Butsudan Jimai) in the future 12.6%
・Not yet decided 28.0%
・Not in a position to decide myself 40.7%