Muslim population doubles in 10 years; Japanese concerned

• Present Muslim population is 2 lakh 30 thousand
• ’Religious’ infiltration into Japan as labourers and students
• Rise in number of mosques, from 24 to over 110 in 20 years

• If the Muslim population expands at this rate in Japan, it wont be surprising if there is a demand for an  ‘independent Japanisthan’ within a few decades.
• It would not be amiss for someone to say that no matter where the Muslims go, their education, culture and peacefulness may not increase, but their population certainly does.

Tokyo – The Muslim population in Japan has doubled over the last ten years. This includes immigrants and religious converts. The increasing population of the minorities has become a matter of concern among the local Japanese community.

1. According to economist.com, Professor Hirofumi Tanada of Waseda University of Japan has prepared a report based on his investigation. According to the report, in 2010, the population of Muslims in Japan was 1 lakh 10 thousand which rose to 2 lakh 30 thousand in 2019. This includes 50 thousand Japanese who converted to Islam.
2. As the minority population rose, the number of mosques also increased. The number of Mosques was 24 in 2001 which has surged to 110 now.
3. Head of Beppu Muslim Association, Abbas Khan welcomes the increase of the Mosques.
4. Japan has a population of 12.6 crores. The Japanese youth is more focused on their career than getting married. Due to this the Japanese population is decreasing. This poses a threat of decreasing number of working youth in Japan, fearing which the Japanese government is attracting foreign workers and students.
5. Taking advantage of the situation, Muslims have reached Japan as workers and students and started converting locals to Islam. They are also helping Muslims from other countries to settle in Japan. Head of Beppu Muslim Association, Abbas Khan, a Pakistani national, is one such individual. He came to Japan as a student in 2010 and settled there.
6. The increasing Muslim population is a matter of concern among the Japanese Buddhists. They have raised objections to land and other facilities being provided for madrasas and graveyards. They feel that outsiders can settle in Japan but they have to respect the local customs and traditions.

As the government has sought to attract more foreign workers and students, the number of Muslims living in Japan, though small, has more than doubled in the past decade https://t.co/H1RzSuRGVV

— The Economist (@TheEconomist) January 8, 2021

 Objections to graveyards

Increasing Muslim population in Japan has increased conflicts with the majority Buddhist community. The converted Muslims are demanding more graveyards. The Japanese Buddhists cremate their dead, so they feel burying the dead pollutes the soil and drinking water.

(Courtesy: Islam Channel)