The apologetics of Buddhism brought about against anti-Buddhism is usually given only a negative evaluation, but as a "self-portrait" of Buddhism it can be given positive significance as a sort of Buddhist apologetics. A common feature of Buddhism in Japan in early modern and modern times was relations with the Emperor. Relations with the Emperor and Buddhism are explained by the history of Buddhism faith held by the successive Emperors themselves, and it is explained by a country and ties with Buddhism that the Emperor governs. Buddhism in modern times served the Emperor, and the Meiji government used this for the unification of the nation. Buddhism, Shinto, and Christianity did not mutually fuse in the modern period, and each was tied to the Emperor individually. Thus was built the religious system of modern times in Japan.
