Here's why:
* Shintoism: Shintoism is the native religion of Japan and is deeply intertwined with Japanese culture. Many Japanese people practice both Shinto and Buddhist rituals, blurring the lines between the two.
* Secularism: A large percentage of Japanese people identify as non-religious or secular.
* Buddhism's diverse forms: Buddhism in Japan has many different schools and practices, making it difficult to define a single "Buddhist" identity.
So, while it's true that a significant portion of the Japanese population is Buddhist, it's important to acknowledge the complexity of religious belief and practice in Japan.