Muslim communities in Japan are facing significant challenges in finding adequate burial spaces as their population continues to grow. The Japanese government has recently rejected petitions for the establishment of new Muslim cemeteries, citing cultural traditions and environmental considerations. This decision comes despite a notable increase in the Muslim population, which is projected to reach 350,000 by 2025, making it the nation’s fastest-growing minority group.
During a parliamentary discussion, a Member of Parliament highlighted that Japan’s established tradition of cremation, practiced by approximately 95% of the population, is a primary factor in the government’s stance. Concerns were also raised about potential contamination of groundwater sources from traditional burials. Currently, Japan has only ten designated cemeteries for Muslims, which are becoming increasingly insufficient to meet the needs of the growing community.
The government has suggested alternatives for Muslim migrants who pass away in Japan. These include conducting funerals according to Japanese customs or arranging for the international transportation of the deceased to their home country for burial, though families would bear the associated costs. These proposals underscore the ongoing discussion around land availability for cemeteries, which has become a central issue in Japan’s immigration and minority community dialogues, distinct from the crime-related debates often seen elsewhere.
