Although 94% the Japanese

Although 94% the Japanese are Buddhist or Shinto, Christmas is gaining ground.

Shops are decorated with Merry Xmas banners, displays of lights, and wreaths. Some are having sales, others plan special events of singing or illumination. Takashimaya in Shinjuku has a huge display of lighted figures outside their store. Departments stores have sections devoted to Christmas merchandise and wrappings. I bet that if I looked in the right store, I could find an artificial tree for sale.

Even the 100 yen shops, the Japanese equivalent of the dollar store, are getting into the act. Every one I've seen in the past two weeks has tinsel garland and fake greenery for sale.

I don't remember this much Christmas activity in 1998. Of course Christmas is an enormous commercial success in other countries, so why not Japan, too?