- ■ Introduction: “If You Don’t Want Cremation, Go Home” — Words That Should Never Be Said
- ■ Chapter 1: A Rapidly Growing Muslim Population — A Life Behind Every Number
- ■ Chapter 2: Why Muslim Burial Is a Growing Issue in Japan
- ■ Chapter 3: Status of Residence and Religious Identity — Looking Beyond the Paperwork
- ■ Chapter 4: Workplace Religious Accommodation in Japan: What Employers Must Do
- ■ Chapter 5: What the Government Survey Signals — Reading the Policy Winds
- ■ Chapter 6: Action Steps for Foreign Residents and Employers in Japan
- ■ Chapter 7: Conclusion — Toward a Society That Lives Together and Mourns Together
■ Introduction: “If You Don’t Want Cremation, Go Home” — Words That Should Never Be Said
Mr. Takeshi Iwaya, former Minister for Foreign Affairs, recently spoke about the Muslim burial issue in Japan with these words:
“Life isn’t that simple, is it? To tell someone who has worked for decades in this country, who came here determined to do their best, and who passed away here — to tell that person, ‘If you don’t want cremation, go back to your own country’ — that just isn’t right…”
I strongly share this sentiment. And I believe these words are the proper starting point for discussing this issue.
On May 3, 2026, Kyodo News reported that, in response to the growing Muslim population, the Japanese government has launched a nationwide survey of 129 major local governments (prefectures, designated cities, and core cities) regarding the establishment of burial grounds. The survey results will be compiled within fiscal year 2026 and shared with local authorities.
At first glance, “burial grounds” may seem unrelated to visa or status of residence procedures. But from the perspective of an immigration specialist (gyoseishoshi) who works daily with foreign residents and their employers, this is a powerful symbol that Japan is finally entering an era of genuine multicultural coexistence.
In this article, I will share — drawing on my own experience in the field — the background of this issue, what is happening on the ground, and what individuals and companies should be considering right now.
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■ Chapter 1: A Rapidly Growing Muslim Population — A Life Behind Every Number
According to expert estimates, the Muslim population in Japan has grown from about 230,000 at the end of 2019 to roughly 420,000 by the end of 2024 — nearly doubling in just five years.
Several factors contribute to this growth. First, the transition and expansion from the Technical Intern Training Program to the Specified Skilled Worker (Tokutei Ginō) system has led to an increase in workers from Indonesia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and other Muslim-majority countries into manufacturing, nursing care, agriculture, and construction. Second, international students have diversified, with growing numbers of Muslim learners across language schools, universities, and graduate programs. Third, recruitment of highly skilled professionals — under statuses such as “Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services” and “Highly Skilled Professional” — has brought Muslim professionals into IT, research, and corporate management.
What I feel most strongly on the ground, however, is the simple truth that behind every number lies an individual life. We tend to lump people together as “foreign workers” or “Muslims,” but each individual carries their own dreams, circumstances, family, and faith. That is precisely why a one-size-fits-all approach never works. I am convinced of this.
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■ Chapter 2: Why Muslim Burial Is a Growing Issue in Japan
In Islam, earth burial of the deceased is, in principle, religiously mandated. Cremation is regarded as something to be avoided, and for devout Muslims, the manner of one’s own and one’s family’s burial is among life’s most significant concerns.
In Japan, however, the cremation rate stands at virtually 100%. The Act on Graveyards and Burials does not itself prohibit earth burial, but most municipalities restrict permissible methods through local ordinances, making in-ground burial practically difficult in most areas.
This institutional gap has emerged as a significant source of anxiety. In 2018, in Hiji Town, Oita Prefecture, a plan to establish a Muslim burial ground was halted following local opposition due to concerns about groundwater contamination and cultural differences.
I have no intention of dismissing this issue as simple “discrimination against foreigners.” Public health, water resources, community consensus — all parties involved have legitimate concerns and perspectives. Laws and systems cannot simply be bent. But finding ways to move forward within the existing framework — that, I believe, is the work of practitioners like us. I will not take on cases that are clearly unworkable. But for cases in the gray zone, I will use experience and ingenuity to bring them as close to compliance as possible. That is my basic stance.
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■ Chapter 3: Status of Residence and Religious Identity — Looking Beyond the Paperwork
As specialists in visa and status of residence applications, what we face every day is not merely the documents, but the human lives behind them.
A growing number of Muslims arrive in Japan as technical interns, transition to Specified Skilled Worker status, bring their families, obtain permanent residence, and may ultimately spend their entire lives here.
The fear that “I may not be able to be buried according to my faith when I die” is not merely a religious concern. It is a fundamental question that can determine whether a person can truly take root in this country.
We increasingly receive such consultations at the time of visa renewal. Each time, I am reminded that an immigration specialist should not be a paperwork agent, but a partner who works alongside foreign residents in designing their lives in Japan.
“What do you want to do?” “What does your family think?” “How do you want to be living ten or twenty years from now?” — Consultations that begin with such questions are, I believe, the kind of support that truly matters.
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■ Chapter 4: Workplace Religious Accommodation in Japan: What Employers Must Do
For executives and HR managers employing foreign nationals, accommodating Muslim employees is no longer a form of “special treatment,” but part of standard management.
Key practical considerations include:
【Religious Accommodation During Working Hours】 ・Support for the five daily prayers (salat) ・A quiet prayer space within the workplace ・Consideration for Friday congregational prayer (Jumu’ah)
【Dietary Considerations】 ・Halal-certified food, or individualized arrangements ・Religious labeling alongside allergen labeling
【Work Calendar Considerations】 ・Adjustments during Ramadan ・Time-off for Eid festivals
【Life-Stage Considerations】 ・Welfare programs covering marriage, childbirth, and even funerals
This last item is what the current burial issue is asking of all of us. “When a loyal employee who has worked for decades passes away, will there be a place in Japan where they can be laid to rest in accordance with their faith?” — As Mr. Iwaya noted, this is no longer a question of CSR or DEI alone. It is a question of how far a company is willing to support the lives of its employees.
To be honest, no company can solve all of this on its own. But simply being aware that “our employee may be carrying this anxiety” transforms the relationship of trust entirely. I believe there is profound value in that awareness itself.
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■ Chapter 5: What the Government Survey Signals — Reading the Policy Winds
The fact that the government has surveyed 129 local authorities marks a significant shift in policy direction.
Until now, religious burial has been left largely to individual municipal discretion and local consensus-building. Going forward, national-level fact-finding may lead to the development of guidelines or support measures.
It is also significant that this initiative is positioned within the government’s comprehensive approach to foreign resident policy. It may move in tandem with the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, labor law, social security, education, and community integration.
As an immigration specialist, I do not see such policy shifts as mere “news.” I read them through the lens of “when and how will this affect each client’s life plan?” — and provide relevant information proactively. In the age of AI, anyone can find general information online. The value of a specialist lies in being able to speak to “your case.” That is the role I aim to fulfill.
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■ Chapter 6: Action Steps for Foreign Residents and Employers in Japan
What concrete steps can foreign residents and employers take now?
【For Foreign Residents】 ・Communicate your religious needs early to family members and your employer ・Build connections with the local Muslim community, such as a nearby mosque ・Gather long-term information on status of residence, permanent residence, and naturalization ・Do not carry the burden alone — consult a specialist when in doubt
【For Companies】 ・Develop a sensitive understanding of the religious background of foreign employees during recruitment ・Incorporate religious accommodation clauses into work rules ・Build multicultural literacy through internal training ・Cooperate with local governments and specialists for long-term retention strategies
To both individuals and companies, I want to say one thing in common: please do not face this alone. My role is to listen carefully to your situation and respond clearly with “in your case, here is what we should do.” That is the kind of partner I aspire to be.
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■ Chapter 7: Conclusion — Toward a Society That Lives Together and Mourns Together
The Muslim burial issue may seem like a niche topic. Yet it embodies a profoundly fundamental question: Can Japanese society receive foreign residents not merely as labor, but as neighbors with whom we live together — and mourn together?
Let me return once more to Mr. Iwaya’s words: “To tell someone who has worked for decades in this country and passed away here, ‘If you don’t want cremation, go back to your own country’ — that just isn’t right…” I have taken these words as a guiding principle in my work.
As immigration specialists, we help foreign nationals at the “entry point” of life in Japan through visa and status of residence procedures. But what truly matters is the long road that follows. Merely arranging the entry is not the heart of our profession. Committing to outcomes and working alongside each person’s life — this is the kind of immigration specialist I aspire to be.
Our office offers comprehensive support: consultations on the employment of foreign nationals, applications for status of residence, advisory services on workplace environment design, and personal life consultations for foreign residents themselves.
Please do not hesitate to reach out, even with questions you may consider small. I firmly believe that the peace of mind of each individual contributes to the richness of Japanese society as a whole.
▼Reference Article https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/4ea1164237db15f1f65f051c86c16e3f245c26c1
