Navigating Muslim Burial Practices in Japan: Challenges and Emerging Solutions

 Navigating Muslim Burial Practices in Japan: Challenges and Emerging Solutions

In February 2025, Yoshihiro Murai, the governor of Miyagi Prefecture, made a decisive statement regarding plans to establish a new Muslim cemetery: “We must do this even if we face criticism.” This statement highlights a critical juncture for Japan. With a growing number of both domestic and foreign Muslims, and an increasing reliance on foreign labor—many of whom come from Muslim-majority countries like Indonesia—the practical needs of a diverse population are clashing with deeply rooted cultural and logistical traditions, particularly concerning death and burial.

The reality is stark: With a national cremation rate exceeding 99%, Japan has very few cemeteries that accept Muslim burials. Nationwide, there are only about 10 cemeteries that accept Muslim burials. For a growing community, this shortage forces difficult choices, from the exorbitant costs of repatriating bodies to the long-distance travel required for burial, creating significant emotional and financial strain.

This publication explores the current situation of Muslim burials in Japan, the constraints faced by the community, and how evolving government and community responses can shape the future of multicultural coexistence as increasing numbers of workers from other countries migrate to Japan.

 

The Present Landscape: Limited Options and Community Support

Currently, Muslim residents in Japan rely on a small, decentralized network of burial grounds and the crucial support of Islamic organizations.

Key Existing Muslim Cemeteries in Japan

The few dedicated Muslim cemeteries are scattered across the country, serving regional communities:

• Honjo Kodama Seichi Reien (Saitama): Features white tombstones with Arabic script.
• Yoichi Reien (Hokkaido): Serves the Muslim community in northern Japan.
• Monju In Enzan Islam Reien (Yamanashi): An established cemetery in central Honshu.
• Yawara Muslim Graveyard (Ibaraki): Managed in coordination with the Japan Islamic Trust.
• Osaka Islamic Center Reien (Wakayama): Serves the Kansai region.
• Shimizu Reien (Shizuoka): Offers burial plots.

The Japan Islamic Foundation and Its Role

Organizations like the Japan Islamic Foundation and other Islamic organizations provide essential end-of-life services to help families navigate the complex procedures. Based at the Otsuka Mosque in Tokyo, these organizations offer comprehensive funeral services. These services include overseeing the washing (ghusl), shrouding (kaffan), funeral prayers, and coordinating burials at partner cemeteries such as the Yawara Islamic Cemetery in Ibaraki.

These organizations operate under a structured procedure: families must submit a burial application along with official death and burial certificates. A key principle is providing free graves for Muslims. However, to cover the costs of basic services such as digging, backfilling, and installing a standard nameplate, a donation of 200,000 yen is required for each adult burial. This model highlights the community's efforts to maintain dignified burial options under challenging circumstances.

Cultural, Logistical, and Legal Obstacles – Restrictions

Establishing new cemeteries is fraught with challenges stemming from deeply rooted cultural norms and practical considerations.

1. The Prevailing Cremation Culture: Burial is extremely rare in Japan. The near-universal practice of cremation is not merely a tradition, but a necessity to conserve space in a country with limited land. This makes the idea of ​​burial in the ground unfamiliar, and sometimes even unsettling, to local communities.

2. Local Opposition and Unfounded Concerns: Proposals to establish new cemeteries often meet with strong public resistance. As in Miyagi Prefecture, the plan may provoke significant opposition. Common concerns among residents include the potential contamination of groundwater and alteration of the landscape, despite a lack of evidence to support these risks.

3. The Gap Between Law and Practice: While Japanese law permits burials if local government approval is obtained and certain criteria are met, the final decision rests with municipal authorities. These officials often face intense public pressure, leading to the rejection of plans. A recent example of this is what happened in Oita Prefecture, where a plan to establish a cemetery for Muslims was suspended due to opposition from the newly elected mayor of Henod.

 

A Turning Point? Government Plans and Political Will

Despite the challenges, a transformation has begun, driven by demographic realities and forward-thinking leadership.

Miyagi Prefecture is a prime example. Governor Murai’s resolve is closely linked to a 2023 memorandum of understanding with the Indonesian government to secure foreign labor. He views cemeteries not merely as places of worship, but as essential infrastructure for a multicultural future. “If we want to live in multicultural harmony, we have to think about burial sites,” he stated, adding that some Japanese citizens prefer burial to cremation.

This represents a fundamental shift in discourse: burial sites are now seen as a matter of universality and future policy, not a privileged privilege. Governor Murai has publicly stated that it is inappropriate to “avoid this issue when talking about a multicultural society,” placing the onus entirely on the government to lead.

Impact on the Future Growth of the Muslim Community

Solving the burial problem will have a profound impact on the sustainability and growth of the Muslim community in Japan.

• A test of inclusivity: Successful projects, like the one proposed in Miyagi, will send a powerful message to current and potential Muslim residents that their dignity and religious practices are valued. This is crucial for attracting and retaining the skilled foreign workforce that Japan needs.

• Easing the pressure on the community: Providing affordable local burial plots will alleviate a major concern for Muslim families, sparing them the agonizing choice between incurring the exorbitant costs of repatriating the deceased (which can exceed 1 million yen) or traveling for hours to one of the few available cemeteries.

• Promoting integration and understanding: Public discussion about these cemeteries, while challenging, provides an opportunity for intercultural dialogue, encouraging conversations about diversity at a basic human level. Over time, successful integration into funeral services can foster mutual understanding in everyday life.

In Conclusion: The Question of Coexistence

The struggle to provide burial sites for Muslims in Japan is not merely a logistical or religious issue; it is a true test of the nation’s vision for its future. Will Japan adapt its long-established practices to accommodate the needs of its new and diverse population? The courageous stance of leaders like Governor Murai indicates a growing awareness that genuine intercultural coexistence requires concrete action.

The path is not easy, as evidenced by the opposition in Miyagi and Oita prefectures. However, the efforts of civil society organizations like the Japan Islamic Foundation, along with proactive government planning, are paving the way. Ultimately, the outcome will determine whether Japan can become a place where followers of all faiths can not only live and work, but also be buried in peace and dignity.