Shafaqna English– From Kobe to Okinawa, Muslims live under the Islamic crescent in Japan’s land of the rising sun. There are more than 110 Mosques across the country as of 2021and Halal options are now increasingly available for Muslims.
But would it be easy to find halal food in Japan? How do the Japanese treat Muslims? How does Islam’s crescent fare in the land of the rising sun?
According to the Economist, Islam is currently the fastest-growing religion in Japan, with more than 110 mosques across the country as of 2021.
Kobe Muslim Mosque survived the bombing during World War II
One of the most notable is the Kobe Muslim Mosque — the oldest Mosque in Japan — which was built in 1935 by Czech architect Jan Josef Švagr.
Its striking Indo-Islamic architecture stands tall among sleek modern buildings, and seeing its minaret in a non-Muslim country gave me a powerful sense of familiarity.
Kobe Muslim Mosque survived the bombing of Kobe during World War II and later withstood the devastating 1995 Hanshin Earthquake, earning it the nickname ‘the Miracle Building’ from the local community.
“I feel that there is no Islamophobia here because Muslims are a minority,” Imam Yusuf Fujitani, a 30-year-old Japanese convert to Islam, said. “If it became bigger, it could upset people, but that hasn’t happened. Muslims here even inherit Japanese qualities.”
Okinawa Mosque remains open at all times
In contrast to the grandeur of Kobe Mosque, Okinawa Mosque felt more like a traditional Japanese home, complete with a kitchen and a living room that doubled as the main prayer area.
The trust within the community and the tolerance shown by Okinawans in allowing the Mosque to remain open at all times in a non-Muslim country are both a pleasant surprise. This experience highlighted the Okinawan tradition of moai — strong social support networks — which, I realised, played a significant role in helping the small Islamic community thrive here.
Halal options are now increasingly available in Japan
When most people think of Japan, their minds typically wander to anime, cutting-edge technology, and sushi. Without a doubt, Japan is home to some of the world’s finest cuisine, with dishes like ramen and sushi being iconic representations of the country. Unfortunately for Muslims, much of this food is based on ingredients like pork and alcohol. But fortunately, halal options are now increasingly available.
Halal food is readily available in most major cities, and the Muslims I met seemed content living in Japan. Even in Okinawa, where halal options were limited, the strong sense of community more than made up for it.
Shared values between Islamic and Japanese culture allowed Muslims to live authentically
It became clear that the shared values between Islam and Japanese culture allowed Muslims to live authentically, holding onto their traditions while embracing local customs. For Muslims considering a visit, Muslim tourists recommend Japan as a destination.
It’s a place where visitors can leave behind any misconceptions and experience not only the country’s diversity, nature, and uniqueness, but also witness the thriving presence of Islam in the land of the rising sun.
Source: Wisconsin Muslim Journal
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