Danka system

The  was a historical government system in Japan where households would be required to register with Buddhist Temples. Marcure (1985) This effectively put a lot of the work of administration on the temples rather than the government. 

It was used to persecute Christians.Tamamuro Fumio

In the Meiji Restoration it was replaced with Shrine Parishioner Registration.

 Related pages 

 Freedom of religion
 Shrine Parishioner Registration

 References 

Category:History of Japan