Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Miyagi Prefecture in northern Japan is planning to build a burial ground for Muslims who do not wish to be cremated for religious reasons, but the decision had met with opposition from the public, a report in the Sankei Shimbun says.

Miyagi Prefecture said it has been contacted by about 1,200 prefectural residents, many of whom are opposed to the plan.

Governor MURAI Yoshihiro has stated, “We must do it even if there is criticism.” His justification is that Japan will need foreign workers in the future and such decisions will need to be considered.

“If we want to live a multicultural coexistence, we must think about burial grounds,” he said, noting that some Japanese citizens also want the option to be buried rather than cremated.

The issue first flared up at a regular press conference on December 23 last year. When asked about the plans for the burial cemetery, Murai said, “It’s not easy to build one in the city, so we are looking for a suitable location.”

In consideration of the feelings of Muslim residents, Murai said: “I think it’s inappropriate for the government to avoid the issue while talking about a multicultural society.”

In 2023, the prefecture signed a memorandum of understanding with the Indonesian government in Southeast Asia to secure workers, who are likely to be Muslim.

While burial is not prohibited under current law, it is possible if permission is obtained from the city or town and standards are met. However, according to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare’s “Sanitation Administration Report,” the national cremation rate in 2017 was 99.97%. There are very few cemeteries in Japan that accept burials, and there are only about 10 cemeteries nationwide that will accept Muslims.

The prefecture has therefore proposed building a cemetery as part of its efforts to improve the environment for accepting Indonesian workers.

Meanwhile, in the southern Japanese prefecture of Oita, a plan to build a cemetery for Muslims appears to be on hold as the newly elected mayor of Hinode is opposed to it.