| Predecessor | Bureau of Shrines and Temples |
|---|---|
| Formation | April 1900 |
| Dissolved | November 1, 1942 |
Parent organization | Home Ministry (1900-1913),Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and Culture (1913-1942) |
TheBureau of Religions (宗教局,Shūkyō kyoku) is one of theInternal departments [ja] of theMinistry of the Interior during the pre-World War I period and later theMinistry of Education, Science, Sports and Culture in Japan.
It was split off from theBureau of Shrines and Temples in 1900.[1][2]
Initially, religious administration was under the jurisdiction of theBureau of Shrines and Temples of theMinistry of the Interior, but in April 1900, it was separated into theBureau of Shrines and the Bureau of Religion.[3] The first and second divisions were set up with jurisdictions overShinto,Buddhist, and other religious affairs, as well asmonks' andteachers' affairs.[4]
On June 13, 1913, the Bureau of Religion was transferred from the jurisdiction of theHome Ministry to theMinistry of Education, Science, Sports and Culture.[4][5] It was in charge of denominations, sects, associations, priests, teachers, and other matters related to religion, such as Buddhist temples and the preservation of old shrines and temples.[6][7]
On December 22, 1924, the First Section was renamed the Religious Affairs Section and the Second Section was renamed the Ancient Shrine and Temple Preservation Section.[8] On December 1, 1928, the Division for the Preservation of Ancient Temples and Shrines was renamed the Preservation Division.[9] In 1942 it was abolished and went through a few successor institutions until complete abolition after the end ofWorld War II.[10]