Japan is one of the countries where Islam arrived relatively late. According to most accounts, the history of Islam's arrival dates back to the late 19th century and early 20th century. Today, there are about 350,000 Muslims in Japan, who have mosques and institutions through which they practice their religious and social rituals.

In this dialogue, we discuss many issues with Sheikh Ahmad Maeno, one of the most prominent Muslim imams in Japan, to learn more about Islam and Muslims in Japan. 

 First: Can you introduce yourself to the readers?  

My name is Ahmad Naoki Maeno, from Japan, born in 1975. 

Allah guided me to Islam when I was eighteen years old, and He honored me with the opportunity to study Islamic sciences in Damascus, Syria, under the tutelage of a group of esteemed scholars, from 2000 to 2006. 

I graduated from the Islamic Fath Institute, Islamic Law Department, in 2009. 

 Profession

I have been working as an employee in a Japanese company since 2006, and I am currently the Executive Director and Secretary-General of both the Japan-Saudi Friendship Association and the Japan-Kuwait Friendship Association. 

Voluntary Roles   

I hold the position of one of the directors of the Japan Muslim Association, which won the King Faisal Prize in 2024 in recognition of its continuous efforts to introduce Islam in Japan since its founding in 1952. I am also one of the directors of the Tokyo Mosque Institute and a consultant for the Japan branch of the Nahdlatul Ulama (Indonesia). 

 Can you give us a quick overview of the history of Islam in Japan?   

The introduction of Islam to Japan began in the late 19th century, but its actual spread started after the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905), when Turkish and Tatar Muslims began to arrive in Japan. 

In 1935, the first mosque in Japan, the Kobe Mosque, was built. 

After World War II, Japanese awareness of Islam increased, especially with the growth of trade relations with Islamic countries. 

Today, Islam in Japan is witnessing increasing growth, thanks to Allah and the varied efforts of the da'wah (invitation to Islam).

What are the most important Islamic institutions in Japan?  

Several institutions play a prominent role in supporting Muslims and introducing Islam, including: 

"The Japan Muslim Association," which is the oldest Islamic organization in the country and is unique because it is managed solely by Japanese Muslims. It was established in 1952. 

"The Japanese Islamic Center," which was founded in 1965 and gained recognition from the Japanese government in 1980. 

Dr. Saleh Al-Samarrai, may Allah have mercy on him, held the task of presenting Islam to the Japanese people generally and inviting them to it for many years, exploring ways of cooperation and acquaintance between Japan and the Islamic world, alongside some other Islamic associations.

 What are the most famous mosques in Japan?

Among the most famous mosques are: the Tokyo Mosque (the largest and most beautiful mosque in Japan), which was established in 1938 and rebuilt in 2000; then the Kobe Mosque (the oldest mosque in Japan), built in 1935; and the "Otsuk" Mosque located in Tokyo, which is considered an active mosque in da'wah efforts and has a long history of assisting those in need.

 Is there communication between Islamic institutions here and Arab countries?   

Yes, there are strong relationships between Islamic institutions in Japan and the Islamic world, especially Arab countries. This cooperation is manifested in supporting mosques and Islamic centers and providing books and da'wah resources, in addition to partnerships with Arab universities and scientific institutions in translation and authorship. 

Some countries also offer scholarships for Japanese students to study Islam at Arab universities.

 Can you tell us about some of the most famous Japanese Muslim figures?

Professor Yasir Yasushi Kosugi (a graduate of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif) was a professor at the prestigious Kyoto University for a long time. He was the first to receive the Imperial Award for his significant contribution to spreading knowledge about Islam in Japan.

Dr. Hassan Ko Nakata, a graduate of Cairo University with a degree in Islamic Philosophy, specialized in the legitimate political theory of Ibn Taymiyyah. He was a professor at Doshisha University in Kyoto and translated and authored many books introducing Islam and specializing in its sciences. Many of his students converted to Islam through his efforts.

Sheikha Habibah Kaori Nakata (the wife of Dr. Hassan Nakata) was active in educating and nurturing sisters. She authored a valuable book about her story of conversion to Islam and what followed, and translated the Tafsir al-Jalalayn. She passed away in 2008 at the age of forty. Her benefit and influence continue; may Allah have mercy on her.

Additionally, several Japanese academics and preachers have contributed to spreading Islam and enhancing knowledge about it.

What are the most significant scientific achievements in the Islamic authorship and translation field in Japan?

Many Islamic books have been translated into Japanese, the most important of which include translations of the meanings of the Holy Quran into Japanese, with several translations published by the Japan Muslim Association, Tokyo Mosque, King Fahd Complex for the Printing of the Holy Quran, and some individuals (both Japanese Muslims and others).

The translation of "Sahih Muslim" was carried out by four Japanese Muslims, and published by the Japan-Saudi Friendship Association. The translation of "Tafsir al-Jalalayn" was done by Sheikha Habibah Nakata, may Allah have mercy on her, also published by the Japan-Saudi Friendship Association. The translation of "The Biography of the Prophet" by Dr. Mustafa al-Sibai was translated by Dr. Hassan Nakata, also published by the Japan-Saudi Friendship Association. Ahmed Naoki Maino translated the translation of "Bidayat al-Hidayah" by Imam Ghazali and also published by the Japan-Saudi Friendship Association. A book titled "What is Islam – Its Religion, Culture, and History" was authored by Dr. Yasushi Kusugi and published by Kodan Company. It is a comprehensive introductory book that was released in 1994.

There are also ongoing efforts in authoring and translating Islamic books into Japanese.

Are there social or religious activities for Muslims in Japan?

Yes, there are various activities, including holding Friday prayers and Taraweeh prayers in mosques, organizing religious classes and Quran teaching for both adults and children, as well as Ramadan events, such as communal iftar tables. There are Islamic conferences that bring together Muslims of different nationalities, in addition to social initiatives like helping during natural disasters and engaging with the Japanese community to introduce them to Islam.

What are the main challenges facing Islam and Muslims in Japan?

There are some difficulties and obstacles facing the journey of Islam in Japan, including:

1. Lack of general knowledge about Islam, which leads to some misconceptions and a reversal of concepts, such as assuming that the default in matters is prohibition rather than permissibility, except for what is labeled halal, leading to the proliferation of halal certification as merely a commercial venture. There is also a scarcity of mosques and Islamic centers, especially in smaller cities.
2. Legal challenges related to Islamic marriage, halal slaughter, and establishing Muslim cemeteries.
3. Cultural integration, where some Muslims find it difficult to reconcile Japanese traditions with Islamic rulings.
4. Education and upbringing of the younger generations, where many Muslims in Japan see a significant gap between general educational trends in Japan and Islamic teachings, such as the belief in evolution without a Creator and the rights of LGBTQ individuals, etc.
5. Weak determination. Furthermore, there is a lack of awareness and initiative among some imams in Japan, as their work is limited to the Muslim community without engaging the Japanese people or studying their language and culture.