Research on Approaches to Islam & Nine Specific Demands = Endorsement of the “Japan Forum for Constitutional Dialogue on Islam”

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This is a global issue related to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Let’s help one another.―From Taro Takimoto, Attorney at Law

■ Overview of Signatures　

We are submitting a research study and nine specific requests to the Government of Japan and other relevant bodies regarding the handling of Islam= Endorsement of the “Japan Forum for Constitutional Dialogue on Islam”
―① Strict enforcement of laws regarding street prayers and prayers in parks; ② Legislation banning the burqa and similar garments; ③ Prohibition of prayer rooms funded by public money; ④ Prohibition of special school meals that exclude pork; ⑤ Legislation banning the public call to prayer (adhan); ⑥ Prohibition of the promotion of religion in school education; ⑦ Legislative amendments to prohibit burial; ⑧ Legislation requiring community consultation prior to mosque construction; ⑨ Reforms to visa policies and a declaration of compliance with laws upon entry

■ Specific Details of the Request
On February 15, 2026, we formed the “Group for Considering the Treatment of Islam under the Constitution of Japan.”
https://note.com/nippon_standard/n/na304e248f407

At that time, we drafted a statement of purpose and reached a consensus on requesting the government to conduct research and studies. We then continued discussions on specific policies and finalized a nine-point request on April 16.

Part 1: Research and Study

In order to uphold the Constitution of Japan and other legal norms, and to further our understanding of them, we request the following research and study.

　Recently, as the number of residents in Japan from countries where Islam is the dominant religion has increased, many Japanese citizens have expressed unease regarding issues such as street and park worship, the construction of mosques, women whose faces are not visible, and requests for burial in the ground—partly because Islam is a religion with which they are unfamiliar.

　Since it appears that Islam includes organizations banned in their home countries—and some of which are reportedly unable to make the pilgrimage to Mecca—it is only natural that the public feels uneasy about these matters, no matter how much leaders explain that “criminal acts and terrorism are contrary to Islamic doctrine” or that “that is not Islam.” The Public Security Intelligence Agency’s annual “Review and Outlook on Domestic and International Affairs” provides some insight into the global terrorist situation, but there is no way to know how these groups are infiltrating Japan.

　Therefore,

(1) The Agency for Cultural Affairs shall include Islam in its Religious Yearbook alongside Buddhism, Shinto, and Christianity.

(2) The government should conduct research and studies to introduce the various Islamic sects and religious movements present in Japan, including their characteristics, approximate numbers by country of origin, and the existence and nature of any issues arising in Japan.

(3) The government should conduct research and studies on the various precepts of Islam, identifying and organizing those that appear to conflict with legal norms set forth in Japanese laws and regulations—including those pertaining to the separation of church and state—within the framework of the Japanese Constitution.　

Part 2: We request the following nine items.

You can read the reasons behind each of the nine requests here.　https://note.com/nippon_standard/n/n8858b184f38b

Section １:.  Regarding worship on roads and in parks.

  The police are requested to strictly enforce regulations to ensure that worship on public roads does not violate the Road Traffic Act or the Penal Code. Local governments and other relevant authorities are requested to strictly enforce regulations so that gatherings in parks are limited to the scope, location, time, and manner specified in the permit, and to prohibit religious activities.

　We ask that Islamic leaders comply with these requirements and refrain from holding worship services at locations deeply associated with traditional Japanese culture, such as castles and historic sites, and from publicizing such activities online or elsewhere.

Section 2: Regarding situations where the face cannot be identified outside of private settings.

We call on the Diet to enact legislation prohibiting the wearing of full-face helmets, balaclavas, and other items that obscure the face—such as the niqab and burqa (the hijab is excluded because it allows the face to be seen)—except in cases where health or disability necessitates it, and except when driving.

 Section 3: Regarding Prayer Rooms.

We demand that the national and local governments refrain from establishing any prayer rooms or other religious facilities within their public facilities, and that private facilities—such as train stations—which effectively receive public subsidies do the same.

Prayer rooms should be leased and established by the Islamic community.

 Section 4: Special Meals in Schools and Public Childcare Facilities

We urge the national and local governments to provide halal meals for Muslims or special meals that exclude pork and pork extracts, as well as special meals for other religions, and to refrain from serving standardized meals that merely reduce the use of pork.

Section 5: Audio Broadcasts from Religious Facilities, etc.

We call on the national and local governments to enact laws prohibiting audio broadcasts—made via loudspeakers or similar devices audible to the public—in any language, except those made by public agencies.

 Section 6: Regarding Religious Education.

We call upon the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and local governments to ensure that, in public school education, instruction for high school students and above is limited to general knowledge—such as the fact that there are various religions, and an overview of their history, doctrines, and rituals—and to take measures to prevent the teaching of such matters, let alone worship practices or specific doctrines, to students in junior high school and below.

　Furthermore, we request that private religious schools, kindergartens, and similar institutions be instructed to disclose and explain the specific content of their religious education to parents before they decide whether to enroll their children.

 Section 7: Regarding Burial.

We urge the Diet to amend the Act on Cemeteries and Burials to prohibit burial in principle, in light of the current situation where cremation has become the norm due to historical factors such as public health and land issues, and where other forms of burial are generally prohibited.

In the meantime, we urge local governments to designate all areas within their jurisdictions as zones where burial is prohibited, with the exception of existing facilities.

Section 8: Construction and Acquisition of Religious Facilities.

We urge the national and local governments to ensure that, when religious organizations construct or acquire religious facilities, the process goes beyond merely verifying compliance with urban planning and building codes, or fulfilling the minimum requirements of posting notices on project bulletin boards and holding explanatory meetings only if requested by nearby residents. Instead, to facilitate coordination with residents in the surrounding communities, In light of the fact that, when establishing industrial waste treatment facilities or opening large-scale retail stores, appropriate explanations must be provided to local residents and their opinions must be respected, we urge the prompt establishment of similar laws and guidelines.

Section 9: Immigration Policy.

We urge the government to recognize that, as long as immigration policies do not violate the Constitution, the government has the freedom to set its own policies. We demand that the government refuse entry to individuals who do not explicitly state that they will abide by the laws of Japan, and that it issue different types of visas to nationals of countries that do not understand the principle of separation of church and state.

Please provide the above.

Links
https://x.com/Nippon_Standard
https://note.com/nippon_standard

Address:  5th Floor, Park Road Yamato Building, 2-1-15 Chuo, Yamato City, Kanagawa Prefecture , Japan　242-0021

FAX: 046-263-0375
Email: nippon.standard.2026@gmail.com

■ The second deadline is July 15, 2026.

（Sign-up for the English version begins on June 4, 2026）

■ How to Show Your Support

Donations are voluntary, so you are welcome to simply sign the petition. Please note that the “support” mentioned here refers to a token of appreciation that will be sent to you after the final deadline for signatures next year or later. Once the association is established, we will need funds to cover travel expenses for outreach, research, printing costs, and other expenses. Therefore, we would greatly appreciate it if you could make a donation to the “Sagami Agricultural Cooperative” account listed at the end of the association’s mission statement on Note.

https://note.com/nippon_standard/n/ne78920586b47

To ensure that your support is not in vain, we will take on this responsibility with even greater dedication until the very end.

“Japan Forum for Constitutional Dialogue on Islam”

 　　　　　　　Co-Chair: Taro Takimoto (Attorney)

　　　　　　　Co-Chair: Shigeyuki Hozumi (Business Executive)