Japan is rolling on the red carpet in front of guests from Muslim countries, with qibla(arrows pointing towards Mecca) appearing in hotel rooms, prayer rooms marked in airports and shopping complexes, and halal food is becoming a staple in restaurants and cafes of corporations doing business with corporations from Muslim countries.
The variety of Muslims selecting to settle in Japan is continually growing. Halal meals first appeared on menus a few decade ago, however the country’s recent tourism boom is driving supply and demand.
Driven by growing demand, halal tourism is certainly one of the sectors driving the Islamic economy. It should come as no surprise, then, that Muslim-friendly travel has now transcended the paradigm of the Islamic economy and change into a core sector of the broader global economy itself.
According to a recent report by the Dubai Islamic Economy Development Center (DIEDC), global Muslim travel spending is currently estimated at $142 billion (excluding Hajj and Umrah pilgrimages), meaning the Muslim tourism market accounts for 11 percent of world spending. No wonder even non-Muslim markets, from Spain to Japan, are competing for investment on this market.
Total tourist arrivals to Japan in 2016 exceeded 24 million, well above the goal of 20 million set by the national government for 2020. Tourists from Muslim countries account for an increasing variety of arrivals.
According to the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO), almost 271,000 Indonesians arrived in Japan in 2016, up from just 63,000 in 2009. Similarly, over 394,000 Malaysians arrived last yr, up from 89,000 seven years ago.
“Behind these impressive numbers are a combination of factors, including the low yen, which has made vacationing in Japan significantly cheaper, especially for Southeast Asians,” said Susah Ong, deputy director of JNTO’s Singapore office.
“But I also think that Japan’s tourism sector has become more open to foreign visitors,” she said.
Business entities also see Muslim consumers as a major opportunity.
On June 5, East Japan Railway Co. (JR East) will open its first prayer room at Tokyo Station to serve the growing variety of Muslim visitors traveling through the middle of the capital.
The prayer room will likely be held on the JR East Travel Service Center, a tourist information point on the northern exit of Marunouchi station. Visitors can use the prayer room freed from charge, no matter religion. Prayer rooms have already been arrange at some airports in Japan. West Japan Railway Co. runs a prayer room at Osaka Station, while Nankai Electric Railway Co. runs it at Nanba Station, also in Osaka.
The third Halal Expo Japan, organized by Halal Media Japan, took place in parallel with the primary Tokyo Modest Fashion Show in November.
“Japanese food is often approached with curiosity, and Japanese halal exporters can see this curiosity surrounding their products as an advantage and a window in which they can make a very good impression,” said Sami Hamdi, founding father of online magazine The National Interest.
It’s value noting that many Muslims visiting Japan are sometimes surprised by its unique flavor mixtures, resembling green tea in confectionery, something currently unavailable in lots of parts of the Muslim world, Hamdi said.
Mohammed Naji Matar joined Osaka-based Miyako International Tourist Co 4 years ago. He was tasked with organising the corporate’s Muslim business and says he believes there are many opportunities in Japan’s tourism sector.
“It is already easier to come here due to the visa situation and the increased number of flights, and foreigners know that Japan is safe and clean and the people are hospitable,” he said. “Once
“I think once halal food becomes more readily available, even more people will want to come here.”
Source : South China Morning Mail | Asahi Shimbun | The times of Khaleeja
