Rising Intolerance Targets Muslim Community in Japan
Misinformation and hate speech are increasingly appearing on Japanese social media platforms, coinciding with a surge in abusive phone calls and emails directed at mosques across the country. Many within the Muslim community are questioning the sudden increase in hostility, while others report feeling unsafe leaving their homes.
The Muslim population in Japan has seen significant growth, nearly doubling from approximately 230,000 in 2019 to around 420,000 by the close of 2024. This demographic shift has led to a rise in the number of mosques, with over 160 now operating nationwide.
Incidents of Harassment and Suspicion
Recent months have seen several concerning incidents. In Osaka last year, a false rumor circulated about a mosque broadcasting the call to prayer at an excessively loud volume in the early morning. Earlier this year, a series of suspicious fires occurred at a mosque and a used car dealership owned by Pakistani nationals in Ebetsu, Hokkaido.
In Fujisawa, Kanagawa Prefecture, near Tokyo, the construction of a mosque has triggered protests and harassment. Ali, a pseudonym and leader of a mosque in the northern Kanto region, described the sudden escalation of animosity. “The harassment started all of a sudden, as if it had just exploded out of nowhere,” he stated.
For the past year, Ali’s mosque has been receiving five to ten calls and emails daily containing messages such as “Go back to your country” and “Japan doesn’t need mosques.” His mosque, established approximately 30 years ago, had previously navigated local issues, such as parking disputes, through collaborative efforts with local authorities and police, fostering a positive relationship with the community.
Social Media’s Role and Community Concerns
A male university student from Pakistan, a regular attendee at Ali’s mosque, expressed confusion and distress over the online vitriol. “People who don’t know each other are causing a commotion on social media,” he observed. “Why is this happening when my friends are so understanding of my faith?”
Concerns about the potential for escalating hostility into violence have been voiced by a Japanese man of Pakistani descent in his 30s. The growing Muslim population also highlights unmet needs, with increasing demand for Islamic burial grounds and halal school meals, as cremation and burial in Buddhist temple graveyards are the current norm in Japan.
Expert Analysis on Spreading Anxiety
Michito Ohashi, a visiting researcher specializing in the Muslim community in Japan, noted the role of social media in amplifying local concerns. “There is a tendency for local issues to be widely shared on social media, which makes it easier for anxiety to spread,” Ohashi explained.
While acknowledging some impact from laws and ordinances addressing hate speech, Ohashi stressed their limitations as a deterrent. He emphasized the importance of fostering community engagement with Muslims on an individual level, rather than solely through their religious identity. “It’s important for the local community to engage with Muslims not based on their identity as Muslims but as individuals,” he concluded.
