Halal tourism in Japan, efforts to revive pre-COVID era
Total halt in admitting Muslim tourists to Japan during the pandemic infection, as the industry is absolutely independent upon foreign Muslims, has led some Halal institutions to close their doors. Although some institutes, particularly restaurants managed to continue work by restricting the menue or working hours.
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As the number of coronavirus cases decreases and more people are vaccinated against the new coronavirus across the globe, the businesses including tourism are back on track again.
Halal tourism is one of the biggest world markets in the field of goods and services and even non-Muslim countries are trying to benefit the blooming market.
Japan is one of the countries which has been trying to have a share of the Halal tourism as the number of Muslims to the country is growing. One of the measures it has recently taken is to increase the number of restaurants and hotels providing Halal services.
Japanese government has launched Halal market favored by Muslims and voiced its support for the industry by lifting visa for tourists from some countries, international promotion through exhibitions, internet advertisements and also coopertion with non-government organizations.
COVID-19, like other countries paralyzed tourism in Japan although the governemnt is struggling to revive Halal industry to its pre-COVID form. This is the topic on which an article “The Future of Halal Tourisn Market in Japan After COVID-19 Economic Pragmatism Perspective.”
Japan’s Halal tourism has tailored in line with the demands of Muslims to abide by Sharia laws for producion of foods and providing praying spaces for Muslims despite challenges like pork being the most popular meat in the country.
Japan has been experiencing Halal tourism during the past five years. Introduction and registration of restaurants and hotels as Halal are managed by non-govermental organizations. Organizations like Japan Halal Association (JPA) Muslim Professional Japan Association (MPJA) and Halal development Foundation of Japan (HDFJ) are aming the renowned organizations to issue Halal certificates in relation with organizations in Indonesia and Malasia through which they receive Halal certificate.
Several people believe that issuing Halal certificate imposes double expenses on trade institutions; therefore, Japanese government and organizations in charge of issuing certificate has come to consensus to permit non-Halal restaurants to provide Halal services (food and accommodation) giving the details of foods in restaurants.
Investment market in Japan allows the Japanese and foreign residents to contribute to the national economy and provide equal opportunities for all to discover the demands of Halal market. At present Japan market includes the burgeoning Halal tourism market as one of the most potential markets in view of growth.
However there are two challenges for the Halal tourism in Japan should be brought into focus. First is that no single institution is in charge of issuing Halal certificates and second its dependence upon foreign tourists leading to the notion that Muslims mainly visit Japan for short time trips and not for longer stays.
Japanese government has launched a set of services for the Muslim tourists in order to meet their demands and it is expected that Halal tourism, like the other service-related sections will get back into track regarding the contributions of the government and an increase in trips to the country as the pandemic infection has shown decline.
