They turned to Confucianism, with its similarity to the feudal system, as a model for society and government. It also played an important role in the education system. They were combined with other religious beliefs, especially in the Mito School in the 19th century, as a form of nationalism. The emperor was presented as a ruler in the Confucianism style who expected loyalty, harmony and diligence of his subjects. The influence of Confucian concepts is below the surface of everyday life.
Community spirit is very strong especially in rural areas.
The selfish and sometimes violent behavior of today's young people is judged in terms of how it fails to live up to Confucian ideals of obedience and filial piety. Even blind loyalty to the emperor remains alive among a minority of radical rightwingers. The Confucian idea of meritocracy is making inroads into the Japanese business world, although this is being driven by economic rather than philosophical forces. The term shin shukyo means new religions but it is often used these days in reference to fraudulent and violent cults. Its original use was to describe organized religions other than Shinto and Buddhism.