In apparent contradiction to the phenomenon of globalisation, traditional religious affiliations are experiencing a resurgence, notably in alignment with populist nationalism. Examples include Russian Orthodoxy supporting President Putin, Evangelicalism aligning with former President Trump, Hindu supremacy associated with Prime Minister Modi, and conservative Islamism aligning with Turkish President Erdogan. In numerous instances, these established religions are strategically employed to garner political support from the populace. Although, on the surface, Britain and Japan may not exhibit a comparable surge of religious influence within the context of populist politics, there are discernible underlying currents in both nations. During this presentation, Professors Walters and Kato will discuss and analyse the role of religion in both Britain and Japan, with a particular focus on the impact of globalisation and populist nationalism.

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About the contributors

Dr Yoshi Kato

Dr Yoshi Kato is Associate Professor of Rikkyo University, Tokyo. His research interests range from the early modern intellectual history to the studies of religion and politics in the contemporary society. His publications include: Between Cartesianism and Orthodoxy: God and the Problem of Indifference in Christoph Wittich’s Anti-Spinoza, with Kuni Sakamoto, Intellectual History Review, vol. 32(2). 2022, 239–257 Confessional Clamour and Intellectual Indifference: Religion and Philosophy in the Wake of Descartes’s New Method, Church History and Religious Culture, vol. 100(2). 2020, 133–143.

James Walters

James Walters is founding director of the LSE Faith Centre and LSE Religion and Global Society. Since opening in 2014, the centre has developed programmes to promote religious literacy, interfaith leadership, and a better understanding of religion-related conflict among LSE’s diverse student body, in government and among wider global publics. Jim is a Professor in Practice in the LSE International Relations Department and his most recent book is entitled Loving Your Neighbour in an Age of Religious Conflict (Jessica Kingsley 2019).