The State of "Inactive and Semi-Inactive Shrines" in a Declining Population Society and Their Impact on Regional Culture

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K12957
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 01030:Religious studies-related
• Research Institution: Reitaku University
• Principal Investigator: Fuyutsuki Ritsu 麗澤大学, 経営学部, 准教授 (70726950)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 不活動神社 / 準不活動神社 / 社会変動 / 人口減少社会 / 宗教文化 / 過疎化 / 少子高齢化 / 地域研究

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study investigated and analyzed the operational status and characteristics of local shrines in depopulated areas of Kochi and Niigata Prefectures. We identified the current state of inactive and semi-inactive shrines in these regions and conducted a survey targeting semi-inactive shrines and parishioners in the Besshi District of Niyodogawa Town, Kochi Prefecture.
The results indicate that although measures by the Shrine Agency have reduced the number of inactive shrines in both prefectures, ongoing population decline, aging, natural disasters, and the impact of COVID-19 are expected to increase their numbers in the future. Additionally, the field survey in Kochi Prefecture revealed a decline in parishioners and widespread concerns about the future, which are likely to directly affect shrine management and community functions.

Free Research Field

宗教社会学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

過疎地域の神社神道に関する調査研究の蓄積が少ない状態で、対策構築が論じられてきたことを問題意識として取り組んだ本研究の成果は、典型的な過疎地域である高知県と新潟県の調査事例を取り上げることで、過疎化によって日本国内の宗教状況がどのように変化してくのかを提示できるところに意義があると考える。
また、過疎化と神社神道に関する本研究の成果は、今後も増えていくと予測される不活動・準不活動神社が地域社会に及ぼす文化的影響（社会的役割）の全体像を理解する上で、他県・他教団との比較研究はもちろん、宗教行政や教団の教化事業においても有効なモデルを提供できると考える。