The number of shrines and temples in Japan that accept saisen monetary offerings via e-money is increasing as the country moves toward a cashless society.

While some welcome the trend as a convenient way, others are critical of e-money use at religious places.

Atago Jinja, a Shinto shrine in Tokyo’s Minato Ward, started in 2014 to accept saisen via Rakuten Edy, a type of e-money, as a countermeasure to saisen theft.

In Japan, people throw some coins or even bills into a wooden donation box as saisen when they visit a shrine or temple and pray for their wishes to be realized, including during the New Year period.

“Although we initially encountered criticism, an increasing number of people now support e-money offerings thanks partly to the government’s efforts to promote cashless payments,” said Rie Matsuoka, a 52-year-old Atago Jinja official.

“In the past, offerings had been made in kind, such as rice and fish, and then cash took their place,” she explains. “It makes no difference to offer saisen in cash or e-money.”

In 2019, Atago Jinja will accept e-money saisen only on Friday, the first business day of the year.

Nikko Futarasan-Jinja, a Shinto shrine and one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites in Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture, introduced an electronic payment system in October 2018, aiming to allow visitors to offer saisen via e-money amid an increase in the number of tourists from China, where e-money is a popular payment method.

The shrine set up signboards with a quick response code at some 10 locations on its premises to allow visitors to scan the QR code with their smartphones for offering saisen by e-money.

“Electronic settlements are a trend of the times,” said Yoshifumi Saito, a 66-year-old official at the shrine.

“We expect saisen offerings by e-money will increase in February, when many Chinese people are expected to visit the shrine during China’s Lunar New Year holidays.”

Kaigenji, a temple in Fukuchiyama, Kyoto Prefecture, introduced an electronic settlement system in October 2018, hoping to lure young people who do not usually visit temples.

“Donation by e-money is as worthy as by cash,” said Mitsuhiro Shibahara, 38-year-old chief priest at the temple.

“We want young people to feel close to temples by using the interesting way of giving saisen via e-money,” he adds.

On the internet, many people praise e-money use for saisen, citing the convenience of the method. Some pointed to reward or mileage points as benefits.

Among opponents, meanwhile, some say they do not feel comfortable making monetary offerings by electronic data at shines or temples, and others argue that it appears disrespectful to use e-money at such sacred places.

“In the first place, blessings are not something given in return for money,” said a public relations official of Jinja Honcho, or the Association of Shinto Shrines.

“The important thing is that people express a sense of gratitude for the fulfillment of their wishes,” the official says, adding, “Our minds determine whether blessings will be given or not.”Speech