Question

What kind of natural forces shaped Japan's culture? What kind of religion did the Japanese develop?

Answer 1

Japan is a surprisingly rural country despite its large urban population. Buddhism came from China and was transformed by Shinto. Frequent earthquakes and other elemental events affect people.

Explanation:

Shinto is difficult to explain but in grounded in revering spirits of the country. It also has strong ethics and moral teachings. Shinto has also been associated with government in the past.

There are a variety of Buddhist sects.

http://www.world-religions-professor.com/shintobeliefs.html

The many earthquakes and volcanoes and storms of Japan would be a daily reminder of the uncontrollably of nature and the tenuousness of life. This is fertile ground for religion.