Religion
Be careful: many Westerners try not to talk about religion. To be more polite you can check first by saying:
“Do you mind if I ask you about religion in your country?”
Q. “What are the popular religions in Japan?”
A. “Many people say they believe in Buddhism or Shinto.”
Q. “Do most British people go to church on Sundays?”
A. “No, going to church isn’t popular anymore.”
Superstition
Q. “Are Japanese people superstitious?”
A. “Yes. Many Japanese people believe in luck.”
Q. “What brings good luck in England?”
A. “Some people believe finding a four-leaf clover will give you good luck.”
Q. “What brings bad luck in England?
A. “If you break a mirror some people think you will have bad luck for seven years!”
Ghosts
Q. “Do Japanese people believe in ghosts?”
A. “Some people do. Many people try not to buy an apartment where someone has died in an unnatural way.”
Q. “Have you ever seen a ghost?”
A. “I haven’t, but my friend has.”
Astrology
Q. “Which is more popular in Japan, Western astrology or Chinese astrology?”
A. “Chinese astrology is very popular here. Western and Chinese fortune telling are both popular. You can even visit a fortune teller in some department stores.”
Marriage
Q. “Is marriage popular in Japan?”
A. “Yes, marriage is still popular in Japan.”
Q. “Do Japanese people usually get married in a church?”
A. “Most people here get married in a hotel.”
Q. “Is same-sex marriage legal in Japan?”
A. “Not yet, but some cities in Japan issue same-sex partnership certificates.”