TOKYO: Japan will begin a model project in fiscal 2024 to help regional communities accept more foreign visitors with diverse dietary and cultural habits, such as vegetarians and Muslims.

The Japan Tourism Agency will provide subsidies to promote the use of pictograms showing food ingredients, the development of menus for such visitors and the establishment of prayer spaces for Muslims.

With the number of foreign visitors to Japan increasing, the country faces a need to expand comfortable environments for vegetarians and Muslims.

The western city of Okayama certifies accommodation facilities deemed friendly to Muslims. The southwestern city of Hitoyoshi, Kumamoto Prefecture, focuses on promoting halal meals prepared in accordance with Islamic law.

The agency hopes that many other local governments will follow suit.

The model project will require cooperation between local governments, so-called destination management organizations, or DMOs, and businesses in the restaurant, hotel and travel industries.

Participants will draw up sightseeing programs that can accommodate the needs of foreign visitors with diverse dietary and cultural habits.

The agency will select around six places as model areas that will receive state subsidies to cover costs for items included in the sightseeing programs.

Islamic law prohibits consuming alcohol, including “mirin” sweet cooking sake, and some soy sauce containing alcohol, in addition to pork. Some vegetarians avoid eating not only meat and fish but also dishes containing broth made from animals.

The model project will support the development of original Japanese food menus for Muslims and vegetarians from abroad.

The agency will also promote the use of pictograms allowing what ingredients are included in restaurant food and souvenirs to be understood at a glance.

Subsidies will also be provided to support the establishment of prayer spaces for Muslims at tourist information centers and “michi no eki” roadside rest areas.

The estimated annual number of vegetarian visitors to Japan was 1.67 million in 2018, before the COVID-19 pandemic, with their spending on food and beverages put at 45 billion to 60 billion yen. The visitor number and the spending amount are expected to grow further.

The number of tourists from Southeast Asian countries with large Muslim populations, such as Indonesia and Malaysia, is also increasing steadily, according to the agency.

JIJI Press