Council of Imams in Japan Warns of Rising Hate Speech Against Muslims

Council of Imams in Japan Warns of Rising Hate Speech Against Muslims
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The Council of Imams in Japan has warned of growing hate speech and incitement against Muslims in the country in recent years, stressing that Muslims, whether Japanese citizens or foreign residents, are part of Japan’s social fabric and contribute to its development.

In a statement, the council called for the rejection of all forms of discrimination and racism.

The council said the rise in negative rhetoric against Muslims comes as Japan’s Muslim community continues to grow. According to statistics prepared by Hirofumi Tanada, professor emeritus at Waseda University, the number of Muslims in Japan reached around 420,000 by the end of 2024, compared with about 230,000 in 2019. The number of mosques has also risen to more than 160 across the country.

The warning comes amid growing concerns over the targeting of Islamic institutions. Media reports said authorities were seeking to remove a mosque built in a rural area of Kawagoe, claiming it violated urban development regulations. The case sparked wide debate, especially after the mosque was inaugurated in the presence of Pakistan’s ambassador to Tokyo.

Field reports also indicated that several mosques have faced phone and online harassment, including abusive messages calling on Muslims to leave Japan. Members of the Muslim community have expressed fears of verbal or physical attacks in some areas.

As the Muslim population grows, civil rights challenges have also emerged, including calls for Islamic cemeteries that allow burial according to Islamic rites, as well as halal meals in public schools to meet the needs of Muslim students, support their integration, and protect their religious rights.