Navigating Religious Landscapes In East Asia: Strategic Responses to Demographic Decline and Institutional Change

To accurately forecast religious demographics in East Asia, it is imperative to analyze intergenerational transmission rates. According to a 2025 survey by the Pew Research Center, declining transmission rates for Buddhism and Christianity in Japan and South Korea signal a potential long-term religious contraction. Conversely, Taiwan and China exhibit vibrant religious engagement, with some areas witnessing an uptick in new adherents.

This session investigates the multifaceted responses of religious organizations to these divergent trends. By synthesizing longitudinal demographic data with qualitative case studies, we will examine the strategic innovations these organizations employ in operations and proselytization. We aim to scrutinize the efficacy of these adaptive strategies and their subsequent outcomes.

Through this comparative analysis, the session seeks to delineate the contemporary trajectories of religious landscapes across East Asia. By bridging quantitative trends with localized qualitative evidence, we aim to provide a comprehensive outlook for the regional religious environment leading up to 2050. This inquiry will illuminate the structural transformations shaping the future of religion in the region, offering a robust framework for understanding these shifting dynamics.