Japan's anti-Muslim discrimination deepens as population nearly doubles

Japan, long known for its homogeneity, is witnessing a rapid rise in anti-Muslim sentiment as the country's Muslim population nearly doubles from 230,000 in 2019 to an estimated 420,000 by the end of 2024, according to Hirofumi Tanada, professor emeritus at Waseda University. With over 160 mosques now operating nationwide, hate speech and misinformation are proliferating on Japanese social media, targeting Muslims specifically. Mosques report a barrage of abusive phone calls and emails, and some Muslim residents are afraid to leave their homes. The discrimination has expanded from historically targeted groups—Koreans and Kurds—to Muslims, reflecting a broader pattern of intolerance toward visible minorities.

Concrete incidents underscore the growing hostility. In Osaka last year, a false rumor spread that a mosque was broadcasting the Muslim call to prayer at high volume early in the morning, inflaming local anger. More alarmingly, in February 2026, a series of suspicious fires broke out at a mosque and a used car showroom operated by Pakistani nationals in Ebetsu, Hokkaido. While no injuries were reported, the attacks have heightened fears of escalation to violence. Observers and community members worry that without intervention from authorities or broader educational efforts, the atmosphere of hostility could lead to more severe hate crimes, further eroding Japan's reputation for safety and social harmony.