- ■ Introduction — Beyond “Simply Obtaining a Visa”
- ■ News Summary — What is “Prayer Space”?
- ■ Why Prayer Rooms Now? — The Rapid Growth of Foreign Residents and Muslim Population in Japan
- ■ Understanding Muslim Prayer — A Brief Overview
- ■ A Gyoseishoshi’s Perspective — Visa Status and Employee Retention
- ■ The Business Case for Prayer Rooms — Thinking in Terms of ROI
- ■ Legal Considerations — Balancing Labor Law with Religious Accommodation
- ■ A Message to Foreign Residents in Japan — Knowing Your Rights
- ■ Conclusion — The First Step Toward Becoming a “Chosen Company, Chosen Region”
■ Introduction — Beyond “Simply Obtaining a Visa”
As a Gyoseishoshi (Certified Administrative Procedures Legal Specialist), I handle visa applications and status-of-residence applications on a daily basis. In recent years, the nature of inquiries from corporate HR departments has changed significantly.
A few years ago, most questions centered on “We want to hire foreign workers — what type of visa should we apply for?” Today, however, we receive far more inquiries about the post-hiring stage: “How can we ensure long-term retention of foreign employees?” and “How should we accommodate cultural and religious differences in the workplace?”
In May 2026, an interesting news story was reported in this context. OM Kiki, a welfare equipment manufacturer based in Soja City, Okayama Prefecture, has developed a compact, easy-to-install prayer room called “Prayer Space” and has begun selling it to tourist destinations and companies.
This is more than just a new product launch. I see it as a symbolic development marking Japan’s transition into the next stage of multicultural coexistence.
In this article, I will use this news as a starting point to offer insights — from a Gyoseishoshi’s perspective — for company executives and HR managers working to welcome Muslim employees, as well as for foreign nationals living in Japan.
■ News Summary — What is “Prayer Space”?
The “Prayer Space” developed by OM Kiki has the following features:
- Made of wood, with a 150 cm square floor and a height of 180 cm
- Waterproof, easy-to-clean floor mat
- Movable “Qibla mark” indicating the direction of Mecca
- Versions available for two simultaneous users
- Compact and easy to install in limited spaces
The development was inspired by a personal experience of Mr. Shingo Oki (46), an employee of the company. While sightseeing in Okayama with a Malaysian Muslim acquaintance, his friend struggled to find a place to pray.
A particularly noteworthy finding comes from a survey of 107 Muslims with experience visiting Japan. When asked, “Do you prioritize the availability of prayer facilities when choosing a destination?”, 72% of male respondents and 79% of female respondents answered “Yes.”
■ Why Prayer Rooms Now? — The Rapid Growth of Foreign Residents and Muslim Population in Japan
According to statistics from the Immigration Services Agency of Japan, the number of foreign residents in Japan has surpassed 3.4 million, continuing to reach record highs. Among them, the number of residents from Muslim-majority countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Turkey have increased rapidly, driven by the expansion of the Specified Skilled Worker program and the growing number of international students.
The tourism sector is also seeing growth in visitors from Southeast Asia and the Middle East. The Japan Muslim Association estimates that the Muslim population in Japan now exceeds 200,000.
In other words, “consideration for Muslims” is no longer a niche topic — it has become a mainstream management issue.
■ Understanding Muslim Prayer — A Brief Overview
Muslims perform five daily prayers (Salah):
- Fajr (before dawn)
- Dhuhr (just after midday)
- Asr (afternoon)
- Maghrib (just after sunset)
- Isha (night)
Prayer times shift daily according to sunrise and sunset, but typically two to three prayers fall within standard working hours.
Before prayer, Muslims perform Wudu, a ritual cleansing of the hands, feet, face, and hair with water. The prayer itself takes about 5 to 10 minutes and is performed facing the direction of Mecca (Qibla).
Companies therefore need to provide:
- Approximately 5–10 minutes of prayer time during work hours
- A quiet, clean prayer space
- Access to water facilities for Wudu
- A clear indication of the direction of Mecca
The “Prayer Space” product is designed to address precisely these requirements.
■ A Gyoseishoshi’s Perspective — Visa Status and Employee Retention
From my professional perspective on residence status, I would like to add the following points.
When hiring foreign nationals, companies first support the acquisition of an appropriate status of residence. Common categories include:
- Specified Skilled Worker (Type 1 and Type 2)
- Engineer / Specialist in Humanities / International Services
- Highly Skilled Professional
- Skilled Labor
- Business Manager
However, obtaining a status of residence is only the starting point of recruitment. What I observe most frequently in practice is high rates of early turnover even after the visa is granted.
According to surveys by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, foreign workers tend to have higher early turnover rates than Japanese workers. The most commonly cited reasons are “communication issues” and “insufficient cultural and religious accommodation.”
Considering recruitment costs, visa application fees, and training investments, retention support is not merely an employee benefit — it is a clear management priority.
■ The Business Case for Prayer Rooms — Thinking in Terms of ROI
I often hear concerns such as, “Isn’t installing a prayer room too costly?” But from an ROI perspective, the picture changes.
[Benefit 1] Stronger Recruitment Power
For Muslim job seekers, the availability of a prayer environment is a major factor in choosing an employer. Being able to state “Prayer room available” in a job posting is a powerful differentiator.
[Benefit 2] Improved Retention
When employees’ faith is respected, engagement increases. Considering the cost of turnover, the investment in a prayer room can be easily justified.
[Benefit 3] Higher Productivity
Reducing the stress of finding time and space to pray improves focus on work.
[Benefit 4] Brand Enhancement
Diversity and inclusion initiatives directly strengthen corporate reputation.
[Benefit 5] Inbound Tourism Revenue (for service industries)
As the survey shows, 70–80% of Muslim tourists prioritize the availability of prayer facilities. For tourism and retail businesses, this translates directly into increased sales.
■ Legal Considerations — Balancing Labor Law with Religious Accommodation
There are several legal points companies should keep in mind.
Under the Labor Standards Act, whether prayer time is counted as working hours or rest time generally falls within the employer’s discretion. However, we are entering an era in which reasonable accommodation obligations are increasingly being discussed. Clearly defining these matters in workplace rules helps prevent future disputes.
Furthermore, for foreign nationals accepted under categories such as Specified Skilled Worker or Technical Intern Training, discriminatory treatment based on religion may potentially conflict with the Immigration Control Act and related labor laws. As a host institution, appropriate handling is critically important and may also affect future status-of-residence renewal examinations.
Because these issues vary case by case, we recommend consulting with a qualified legal professional for individual situations.
■ A Message to Foreign Residents in Japan — Knowing Your Rights
To the foreign nationals reading this article, I would like to share a few thoughts as well.
In Japan, freedom of religion is guaranteed under Article 20 of the Constitution. Discussing prayer time and space in the workplace is not an unreasonable request.
That said, in Japanese workplace culture, many employees may hesitate to raise such requests directly. In such cases, possible approaches include:
- Communicating expectations during the hiring interview
- Consulting with a trusted supervisor or HR representative
- Engaging a professional such as a Gyoseishoshi as an intermediary
For matters such as renewal or change of status of residence, family-related visa procedures, or permanent residency applications, please feel free to reach out for assistance.
■ Conclusion — The First Step Toward Becoming a “Chosen Company, Chosen Region”
“Prayer Space,” born from a small manufacturer in Soja City, Okayama, symbolizes the current stage of Japan’s acceptance of diversity.
Mr. Oki, the developer, said:
“Providing a prayer space can become a reason to be chosen.”
“I hope to increase the number of places where people can pray as they normally do, and to create environments — including in regional areas such as Okayama — where people can travel and work more comfortably.”
These words carry a message not only for the tourism industry but for every company engaged in foreign worker employment.
As a Gyoseishoshi, I provide comprehensive support — from visa and status-of-residence applications to post-hiring labor environment design, religious accommodation, and daily-life support.
If you are facing challenges such as:
- “We want to hire foreign talent but don’t know where to start”
- “We want to improve retention rates of our foreign employees”
- “We are uncertain about how to welcome Muslim employees”
Please feel free to consult with us. Together, let us take the first step toward becoming a company that people choose to work for.
▼ Reference Article
https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/40ccaa940d077c70cf3b2a476b1733ff7b3e8e36
