TEMPO.CO, Chiba - The incerasing number of Muslim tourists in Japan has encouraged the country to become a 'Muslim-friendly' country. A halal-themed event called the 'Japan Halal Expo 2014' will be held in the Chiba Prefecture in November to increase people's awareness on halal food and services for Muslim tourists.
Quoted from the Japan Times last Thursday, the number of tourists from Muslim-majority countries have increased sharply since last year because Japan has relaxed its visa requirements, including visa for long-term stay for Southeast Asian countries.
According to data from the Japan National Tourist Organization, around 176,500 Muslim tourists came from Malaysia in 2013, 36.5 percent higher compared to last year, while those from Indonesia reached 136,800, or 34.8 percent higher.
Japan is also improving some of the services in its airports to provide better services for Muslims. For example, Narita International Airport has set up prayer rooms and pork and alcohol-free in-flight meals.
"Many Muslims have complained upon arrival that they don't know where to go for a prayer, or that scant information is being made available about ingredients on food labels," said Yoshichika Terasawa, executive managing director of Makuhari Messe.
The number of halal restaurants in Japan is still low, but Terasawa belived that Japanese people have a positive affinity with the hygiene of halal food.
"I dont think it will be much difficult for Japanese restaurants to learn how to make their meals halal-certified," said Radzi Burhanuddin, of the expo's committee members.
RINDU P. HESTYA | JAPAN TIMES