Is it true that Islam has been banned in Japan and infringe on the rights of Muslims?

On social networks, one can find publications that Muslims are seriously oppressed in the Land of the Rising Sun. We checked how much these messages are true.

For several years, Internet users have reported that the policy of the Japanese authorities is concentrated if not at the full prohibition of Islam, then on a serious restriction of Muslims. Publications with similar statements can be found in Facebook, "VKontakte", "Picabu" and even on a thematic portal islam.ru.

Many such publications in Russian, apparently, come from similar English -speaking ones that appeared a few years ago. In 2015, they attracted the attention of the first American factor from Snopes And Politifact, and after four years, the analysis made them Australian Colleagues.

In the viral picture about Japanese policy regarding Muslims, a number of prohibitions established in this eastern country are listed. Many of them repeat Russian -speaking users of social networks. We will analyze each of them.

Japan does not give Muslims citizenship and residence permit

In Japanese Law on nationality Nothing is said that the professors of Islam are somehow infringed on obtaining citizenship. Similar discrimination directly prohibits Article 14 Constitution countries. Moreover, Article 20 consolidates the freedom of religion in Japan. The website of the Becomping Legally Japanese, designed for future immigrants, directly claimsthat the confession of Islam will not create any obstacles to obtaining Japanese citizenship or residence permit. The fact that these norms are respected in real life, Confirm Japanese experts.

The spread of Islam in Japan is prohibited

Although the term “propagation” can be interpreted quite widely, even in this case, such a statement cannot be strictly confirmed. Japanese edition of Waseda in 2017 reportedthat there are about 90 mosques in the country, and The Economist in January 2021 He wrote Already about more than 110 temples. In Japan, there are Muslim associations that Conduct various educational events, and in Tokyo since 1966 exists Islamic center.

The University of Japan is not taught by Arabic and other "Muslim" languages

Firstly, an educational institution with this name does not exist. Secondly, several universities at once offer their students to study Arabic and other languages ​​that Muslims speak. Among them Tokyo University (Arabic and Persian), Vasheda University (Arabic) and Tokyo University of Foreign Regional Studies (Arabic, Persian, Uzbek, Malay, Turkish, Urdu, Indonesian). Moreover, Tokyo acts in Tokyo Arab Islamic Institute, as well as the Japanese can take Private lessons. 

Japan is the only country in the world that has almost no embassies in Muslim countries

According to the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, the country There is Diplomatic missions in two dozen countries where the majority of the population professes Islam. Even if you count this amount of extremely low, there is no need to talk about the peculiar leadership of Japan. For example, Israel has such embassies only five (in Azerbaijan, Egypt, Jordan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan). Do not forget about very small states like Tuvalu or Kiribatiwho do not have embassies there at all.

It is forbidden to import a Qur'an published in Arabic to Japan

We could not find the corresponding Japanese law. Kamada Shigeru, professor of Islamic studies at the University of Tokyo, Reported Politifact, that the sacred book of Muslims, like any other religious literature, can be imported into the country. Moreover, the Qur'an can buy On the Japanese Amazon, and in translation and in Arabic.

Muslims are obliged to follow Japanese law and use Japanese

No more and no less than all the inhabitants of the country of the rising sun. IN Constitution Japan does not have provisions that this or that religion professors have different obligations to the state. As for owning the Japanese language, the Tokyo Immigration service reports: A candidate for Japanese citizenship must own reading and writing skills at the level of a primary school student aged seven to eight years. The authors of the Portal Becomping Legally Japanese EmphasizeThis is only an informal recommendation, but without owning the Japanese language, at least at least at the minimum level, it will be extremely difficult to get a passport.

The Japanese government believes that Muslims are fundamentalists

This statement contradicts the statements made by the former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the current head of government Yoshihide Suga. In 2014, Abe spoke at Iftar (evening meal during the Muslim post) and declared: “The fundamental aspect of the spirit of Islam is harmony with other people and love for them. I believe that this has points of contact with the Japanese spirit based on the idea of ​​coexistence. ” At a similar meeting five years later ABE admitted: “When I negotiate with the leaders of Muslim countries and deepen our friendship, I feel that Japan and Muslim countries share the idea that" the best way is in the middle. " His successor Suga in April 2021 expressed concern The position of Muslims-Uyghurs in China.

Muslims cannot rent a house in Japan

Legislative law to rent apartments or houses in Japan is in no way limited. In practice, it is really difficult for them to find housing - however, how assure Experts, this is not connected with Islam, but with the inherent Japanese wary towards any foreigners (among local Muslims, ethnic Japanese are no more quarters). In announcements of renting housing in Japan, often There is A phrase like “not for foreigners”, but no clarification is made of Muslims.

There is no Sharia in Japan

In Article 20 of the Constitution of Japan along with the freedom of religion fixed The principle of secular state. The authorities, in turn, are recommended to refrain from participating in any religious activity. At the same time, the lack of Sharia norms in laws is difficult to consider a sign of Muslim discrimination in Japan - there are no them in Russian federal legislation either, although about 10% of the country's population Confess Islam (in Japan - less 1%).

Thus, the vast majority of statements from the viral picture, which then spread in Russian -speaking social networks, or are not true, or represent manipulation. In a relatively small and very diverse Muslim community in Japan, of course, happen household disputes with local residents, but there is no need to talk about any discrimination. According to The Economist, due to the growth of the number of expans and tourists from Muslim countries, prayer rooms at airports, as well as halal shops and restaurants, began to appear in Japan in recent years.

Most of the untruth

What do our verdicts mean?

Read on the topic:

1. Oxford Bibliographies. Islam in Japan
2. A. Yamagata. Perceptions of Islam and Muslims in Contemporary Japan
3. Snopes. Japan Keeps Islam at Bay?
4. Politifact. In Japan, "Permanent Resident is not Given to Muslims," ​​The "Propagation of Islam" is Banned, "One cannot Import a Koran Published in the Arabic Language," And "And" And "and" And "Muslims Cannot Even Rent a House. "
5. Aap Factcheck. Social Media Claim ‘Japan Keeps Islam at Bay’ Post Is Partly False
6. The Economist. The Number of Muslims in Japan Is Growing Fast