Japanese People Fully Convert to Islam
Fifteen Japanese citizens embraced Islam in January 2025 by reciting the Shahada under the guidance of Sugimoto Sensei.
This marks a steady increase in conversions, with an average of one person embracing Islam every two days.
The Cinta Quran Foundation, in a press release on March 21, 2025, highlighted the dedication of Islamic scholars and the Muslim community in Japan, who are working tirelessly to spread the teachings of Islam.
Their efforts aim to ensure that the message of the Qur’an continues to reach more people in the country.
Japanese society faces a range of social challenges, including high suicide rates, extreme work culture leading to karoshi (death from overwork), and lonely death, a growing phenomenon where individuals pass away in isolation due to weakening family ties. Amid these struggles, Islam has emerged as a source of comfort, offering spiritual peace and answers to life’s deeper questions.
The concept of tawhid, which introduces the idea of an eternal existence beyond death, has captured the interest of many Japanese who were previously unfamiliar with such beliefs.
With Japan’s strong culture of reading, there has been an increasing demand for Japanese translations of the Qur’an.
More people are seeking to understand Islamic teachings directly from the scripture, making access to these translations crucial for those curious about the faith.
To support the growing interest in Islam, the Cinta Quran Foundation has initiated two major projects in Japan:
the Wakaf Masjid As-Sholihin and the Japanese Qur’an Translation Waqf. Both programs are designed to strengthen Islamic outreach and provide essential resources to the Muslim community.
The construction of Masjid As-Sholihin is set to begin on April 1, 2025, with an expected completion date of March 31, 2026.
By February 2026, the mosque is anticipated to be operational, serving as a center for worship and Islamic learning for new converts and the broader Muslim community.
Beyond building a place of worship, the foundation is also focused on providing Qur’ans translated into Japanese.
During the fifth phase of distribution, which took place between October 2024 and January 2025, 1,000 copies were delivered across various regions, including Tokyo, Toyama, Chiba, Aichi, and Kochi.
These translated Qur’ans have been distributed to both individual converts and local mosques, serving as an essential tool for learning about Islam and strengthening the faith of new Muslims in Japan.
