What is the halal certification provided for inbound by MPJA?
Why does Japan need halal certification?
- Special Skill Workers: Japan’s growing need for Halal certification is significantly driven by the increasing number of Muslim foreign workers essential to various sectors of its economy. To ensure these workers feel welcome and can comfortably adhere to their religious dietary requirements, Japanese businesses, food manufacturers, and restaurants are recognizing the necessity of providing Halal-certified options. Our certification offers clear assurance that products and services meet Islamic standards, directly addressing the daily needs of this important segment of the workforce and fostering a more inclusive environment.
- Tourism: Japan’s push for Halal certification is strongly linked to attracting and satisfying the growing number of Muslim tourists, especially from key markets like Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore. For these visitors exploring places like Tokyo, easy access to certified Halal food is often essential for choosing Japan and having a positive travel experience. Offering trustworthy Halal options makes Japan a more appealing and competitive destination, boosting its tourism economy by meeting the specific dietary needs of this significant global travel segment.
What could be the reasons why there are so many tourists visiting Japan?
- Japan’s Four Seasons:
- Spring (春 – Haru): Typically, from March to May, Spring is perhaps Japan’s most celebrated season. Temperatures gradually warm up, and the landscape comes alive with blossoming flowers, most famously the cherry blossoms (桜 – sakura). This period is marked by hanami (花見), the tradition of picnicking under the blooming cherry trees, which is very popular right now across Tokyo. Plum blossoms often appear slightly earlier, and other flowers like azaleas follow.
- Summer (夏 – Natsu): Running from June to August, Summer is characterized by heat and humidity. It usually begins with a rainy season (梅雨 – tsuyu) in June/early July. Afterwards, the weather becomes hot and sunny, with vibrant green scenery. Summer is a time for lively festivals (祭り – matsuri), spectacular fireworks displays, beach trips, and wearing light cotton yukata. It’s also the season when typhoons can occur.
- Autumn (秋 – Aki): From September to November, Autumn brings cooler, comfortable temperatures and often clear skies after the summer heat. This season is famous for its breathtaking autumn foliage (紅葉 – kōyō), as maple (momiji) and ginkgo leaves turn stunning shades of red, orange, and yellow. People enjoy leaf viewing (紅葉狩り – momijigari), similar to cherry blossom viewing in spring. Autumn is also associated with the harvest and many delicious seasonal foods.
- Winter (冬 – Fuyu): Lasting from December to February, Winter is cold. While major cities on the main island like Tokyo experience cold, crisp, often sunny days with occasional snowfall, northern Japan (like Hokkaido) and the mountainous regions receive abundant snow, making them prime spots for skiing, snowboarding, and snow festivals. Winter traditions include enjoying warming hot pot dishes (nabe), visiting hot springs (温泉 – onsen), and seeing festive illuminations.
- Japan’s futuristic cities:
- Tokyo: It’s a sprawling metropolis filled with neon-lit skyscrapers, towering digital billboards, and robots in cafes or shopping centers. Districts like Shibuya and Shinjuku buzz with energy 24/7, featuring smart buildings, AI-driven stores, and one of the most advanced and punctual train systems in the world. Akihabara is a tech and anime hub where you’ll find the latest gadgets, VR experiences, and maid cafes.
- Osaka: Japan’s second-largest metropolitan area, also pushes futuristic vibes—especially in areas like Umeda and Namba. You’ll see architectural marvels like the Umeda Sky Building, and experience tech-forward entertainment, such as digital art museums and interactive theme parks like Universal Studios Japan with its cutting-edge attractions. Cities like Yokohama, Fukuoka, and Nagoya are also becoming increasingly modern with smart city developments, sustainable infrastructure, and experimental transport systems like magnetic levitation trains (maglev).
What’s interesting is that all this technology coexists with Japan’s deep cultural traditions—so you might walk past a centuries-old shrine right after visiting a robot restaurant or using a high-tech vending machine that can recommend drinks based on the weather. It’s this contrast that makes Japan’s cities feel not only futuristic but also deeply unique.
Food and Shopping
- Food is a huge attraction because Japan offers a culinary experience that’s both incredibly diverse and deeply rooted in tradition. Tourists come to taste authentic sushi, ramen, tempura, takoyaki, okonomiyaki, wagyu beef, and more. Each region has its own specialty, so food lovers often travel around the country to try local dishes—like miso katsu in Nagoya or fresh seafood in Hokkaido. For a more refined experience, Japan has many Michelin-starred restaurants and traditional kaiseki dining, where presentation and seasonal ingredients are everything. Street food and night markets also offer fun, casual options, especially during festivals.
- Shopping is another major reason people visit. Japan is famous for its variety—from high-end fashion in Ginza and Omotesando, to trendy youth culture in Harajuku, to quirky, fun items in places like Don Quijote. Tech enthusiasts love shopping in Akihabara (Tokyo) or Nipponbashi (Osaka), where you can find the latest gadgets, gaming gear, and anime merch. Tourists also shop for traditional goods like yukata, ceramics, matcha products, and souvenirs like Kit-Kats in rare flavors. And the best part? Many stores offer tax-free shopping for tourists.
Tourists from Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore:
Number of Malaysian travelers to Japan: 10 years ago, vs. now
Number of Indonesian travelers to Japan: 10 years ago, vs. now
Number of Singaporean travelers to Japan: 10 years ago, vs. now
Japan’s current condition related to Islam.
In recent years, more and more tourists from Islamic countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore have been visiting Japan, drawn by the country’s safety, unique culture, modern cities, and natural beauty. As Japan continues to promote “Muslim-friendly” tourism, it’s becoming easier for Muslim travelers to enjoy their trip while observing their religious practices. Halal restaurants and prayer spaces are increasingly available in major cities, airports, and even shopping malls. Some hotels also provide Qibla direction indicators and prayer mats upon request.
COMPARISON BETWEEN JAPAN AND MALAYSIA
COMPARISON BETWEEN JAPAN AND INDONESIA
COMPARISON BETWEEN JAPAN AND SINGAPORE
OUR VISION:
Halal Foods in Convenience Stores
Japanese convenience stores like 7-Eleven, Lawson, and Family Mart are go-to spots for quick, affordable food, but finding Halal options requires significant effort for Muslim consumers. While potentially suitable items like plain onigiri, salads, eggs, or certain snacks exist, careful checking of ingredient labels is always necessary to avoid pork and alcohol derivatives, which can be challenging and time-consuming. Recognizing this difficulty, organizations like use Muslim Professional Japan Association (MPJA) are actively working within Japan to increase awareness and understanding of Halal requirements, aiming to bridge the gap between the convenience offered by these stores and the specific dietary needs of Muslim residents and visitors.
Although there has been a slow emergence of certified Halal products like instant noodles or curries in some high-traffic locations—often adhering to standards recognized or promoted by bodies like MPJA—overall availability remains limited and scattered. Therefore, a key aspiration, strongly supported by the Muslim community and advocated for by groups like MPJA, is the establishment of dedicated ‘Halal Corners’ within these major convenience store chains. Such clearly marked sections, stocked exclusively with verified Halal items, would represent a major step forward, offering much-needed convenience, eliminating uncertainty, and providing reliable access to compliant meals and snacks for Muslims across Japan.
To support the growth of your business and meet the needs of the increasing number of Muslims living, working, or visiting Japan, obtaining a Halal certification from MPJA is a highly valuable step. This certification ensures that your products and services align with Islamic dietary and lifestyle requirements, helping you build trust and credibility with Muslim customers. In addition to enhancing your brand’s reputation, it opens the door to a wider market both domestically and internationally, especially as Japan continues to welcome more Muslim tourists and residents.
HOW TO APPLY?
| Info: the certification process is only within 3 months and the payment fee depends on how much ingredients that needs to be checked. |
Who are the people encouraged to take the Halal Muslim Friendly Certificate by MPJA?
- Restaurants Operators
- Hotel Operators
- Suppliers who supply raw materials.
Halal Muslim Friendly Conditions:
- Attend halal seminars and training sessions to enhance their understanding and adherence to halal practices.
- Restaurants will have to provide a halal menu
- Establish a halal controlling system to ensure the halal-ness at all processes from ingredients, preparation, cooking, cutlery, serving, and washing.
