East Asian cultural sphere
Common and historical features of countries within the East Asian cultural sphere include traditional medicine, science, historical and modern literature, art, cuisine &amp; architecture, historical and modern philosophies, beliefs &amp; religions, historical political structures, social institutions, laws, rituals, doctrines, and so on. Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism were influential disciplines within this sphere. Spiritual practices are highly diverse across the region (e.g. Shinto is an eminent component of spirituality and history in Japan). Although similar, the region is not to be confused with concepts such as Greater China (Mainland China, Macau, Taiwan, Hong Kong, etc) or the Sinophone world (Malaysia and Singapore).