Japan has recently witnessed a notable increase in anti-Muslim campaigns, with extremist right-wing groups adopting rhetoric aimed at restricting hijabs and preventing the construction of mosques, as well as obstructing the establishment of Muslim cemeteries. This occurs in stark contrast to the Japanese constitution, which guarantees freedom of belief.
The team at "Al Jazeera Net" has been tracking the growing discourse on the platform "X", where tweets from right-wing accounts call for "protecting the constitution" and "Japanese culture", while their positions contradict the constitutional texts that guarantee the freedom to practice religious rituals.
Details of the Event
The Japanese constitution, specifically Article 20, emphasizes freedom of belief and prohibits state intervention in religious affairs. However, the prevailing discourse demands restrictions on Islamic practices, representing a violation of constitutionally guaranteed rights. A study conducted by Professor Hirofumi Tanada from Waseda University revealed that the number of Muslims in Japan reached approximately 420,000 by the end of 2024, which is about 0.3% of the total population.
The group "Net-Uyoku" has emerged as one of the prominent actors in this context, having begun to focus on anti-Muslim rhetoric following the increase in foreign labor. This group has established new entities such as the "Association for Thinking About Dealing with Islam Under the Japanese Constitution", which presents itself as a research framework but adopts an exclusionary discourse.
Context and Background
These groups seek to promote anti-Muslim narratives by disseminating maps showing the spread of mosques in Japan, claiming that this threatens the social fabric. Politicians and influencers participate in spreading these ideas, such as "Shigeyuki Hozumi", who leads a campaign against a proposed Islamic cemetery in Miyagi Prefecture.
Although the cemetery plan was canceled in September 2025, Hozumi continues to monitor any attempts to revive the project. The name "Yosuke Kawai" also stands out, expressing his anti-foreign migrant philosophy, reflecting the rising incitement against Muslims.
Impact and Consequences
These campaigns go beyond mere expressions of individual opinions; they reveal a complex interaction between imported digital discourse and local cultural peculiarities. The discourse relies on avoiding confrontation, as Japanese society tends to shy away from discomfort, leading individuals and businesses to withdraw from the debate on minority rights.
These groups exploit the knowledge gap within Japanese society regarding Islam, as many Japanese have not experienced direct interaction with Muslims, allowing for the spread of misleading information. Additionally, terms like "public order" and "community safety" are used to justify anti-Muslim stances.
Regional Significance
This phenomenon points to the challenges faced by Muslims in non-Islamic communities, where anti-Muslim campaigns can exacerbate social tensions. These events reflect the need to enhance dialogue and understanding between different cultures.
In conclusion, the rise of Islamophobia in Japan is a phenomenon that warrants attention, as it contradicts the fundamental principles of freedom of belief, necessitating collective efforts to confront these challenges and promote values of peaceful coexistence.