Miyagi Governor pushes for Japan’s first Muslim cemetery amid opposition

Miyagi Prefecture in northern Japan is moving forward with plans to establish a burial site for Muslims, despite facing significant public opposition. Governor Yoshihiro Murai has defended the initiative, emphasizing the need to accommodate Japan’s growing foreign workforce, particularly from Muslim-majority nations.

The prefecture has received around 1,200 complaints against the project, but Murai insists it is necessary for fostering a multicultural society, emphasizing that some Japanese citizens prefer burial over cremation, making the initiative relevant beyond the Muslim community.

Due to Japan’s high cremation rate of 99.97% and limited burial sites—only about ten nationwide that accept Muslim burials—finding a suitable location remains a challenge. The prefecture’s plan aligns with its 2023 agreement with Indonesia to recruit skilled workers, many of whom are Muslim.

Elsewhere, a similar proposal in Oita Prefecture has stalled due to opposition from the newly elected mayor of Hinode, reflecting broader challenges in accommodating religious burial practices in Japan.