Muslim cemetery debate in Japan amid burial challenges
Muslims in Japan are facing difficulties in having their deceased buried according to religious customs, sparking a debate over the construction of new Muslim cemeteries. Umemura Mizuho, a lawmaker from the Sanseito Party, has opposed building such cemeteries, citing public health concerns. Meanwhile, Japan’s Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare, Keniichiro Ueno, stated that the government is not currently considering banning funeral ceremonies.
According to Sankei News, Umemura argued in parliament that environmental changes in Japan necessitate stricter regulations on burials for public health reasons. Highlighting Japan’s high humidity and limited land area, she warned that in the event of severe natural disasters, exposed bodies could pose risks if such cemeteries become widespread.
Minister Ueno emphasized that local governments should implement regulations based on their regional conditions. “We are not considering banning funerals at this time. We may reconsider if circumstances change,” he said.
Challenges in Maintaining Religious Traditions
While Japanese law does not prohibit burial, the majority of cemeteries are designed to accommodate cremation, the widely practiced method. This limits options for Muslims living in Japan, who struggle to maintain their religious burial traditions due to scarce cemetery space.
Some local authorities have expressed willingness to establish new cemeteries in response to requests from Muslim communities. For instance, Governor Yoshihiro Murai of Miyagi Prefecture in the Tohoku region announced in December 2024 that he was considering creating a new cemetery after a request from a Muslim resident, noting that the region currently has no burial grounds suitable for Islamic practices.
Local Approval and Ongoing Challenges
In Oita Prefecture, a cemetery project in Hiji town, supported by the nearby Beppu Muslim Association, received approval from the local community in 2023, provided it adhered to relevant regulations. An agreement stipulated that no additional graves would be added to the burial areas for 20 years and that groundwater would be tested annually.
However, public health concerns resurfaced after Tetsuya Abe was elected mayor in August 2024, with the municipality informing the association that the land would no longer be sold for cemetery use.
Source: Anadolu Agency (AA)
