State Shinto refers to the form of Shinto that was officially promoted by the Japanese government during the Meiji period, serving as a tool for national unity and identity. It elevated the emperor to divine status and intertwined religious practices with the state's political objectives, fostering a sense of nationalism. State Shinto became particularly influential during the rise of militarism and ultranationalism in Japan, as it emphasized loyalty to the emperor and the nation, and later faced significant reforms during the Allied occupation after World War II, when it was separated from state affairs.
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