Japanese Consul General Says Islamic Development In Japan Continues To Grow

MEDAN - The interest of the Japanese people in Islam continues to grow. This was revealed by the Japanese Consul General in Medan Takonai Susumu who explained the development of Islam in his country.

"The first mosque in Japan, Kobe Mosque, was founded in 1945 and became the center for the Muslim community around Kobe, Osaka, and Tokyo. In 1952, the Muslim Association of Japan was founded in Tokyo, which is an important point for the spread of Islam in Japan," he said when he was a public lecture speaker at the University of Muhammadiyah. North Sumatra (UMSU) with the theme "Islamic Development in Japan" in Medan, reported ANTARA, Saturday, October 5.

Although the number of Muslims in Japan is about 0.18 percent of the total population, he said, the Muslim population continues to increase significantly.

He referred to statistical data showing that the Muslim population in Japan currently stands at 48,000.

He also explained that the number of Muslims in Japan continues to grow along with the increasing marriage between Japanese citizens and Muslims from abroad.

What is interesting, he said, is that although Japan does not adopt certain religions, the morals and ethics applied in society have similarities with Islamic values.

"Halal places of prayer and food are widely available in various regions in Japan, reflecting support for the growing Muslim community," he said.

UMSU Chancellor Agussani expressed his appreciation for the visit of Takonai Susumu to that place.

He hopes that through the meeting UMSU students can learn more about the development of Islam in Japan and take lessons from the country's situation.

"We hope this will be part of learning for students, especially regarding how Islam develops in Japan which is different from the image of Islam in the Middle East. In Indonesia, Islam is an advanced religion, and we want to have a closer relationship with Japan, especially in the field of education," he concluded.