The number of followers of Islam in Japan continues to experience rapid growth. Almost every week, there is one or two Japanese citizens, especially its younger generation who embrace Islam. This was stated by Amin Kimiaki Tokumasu, President of Japan Muslim Association to RRI World Service, Voice of Indonesia on the sidelines of the High Level Consultation of World Muslim Scholars on Wasatiyyat Islam held at Novotel Hotel, Bogor, West Java from May 1-3, 2018. According to Kimiaki, nowadays, the Japanese people are willing to learn and understand the teachings of Islam, and view Islam as a life guidance.
“And now I think Islam in Japanese can get good point as guide of life. So, I think it is a chance, and at the same time, Japanese people understand Islam, and some enter Islam. In fact, in our association every week one, Japanese younger people become Islam, after this 2 or 3 Japanese enter Islam,” Amin Kimiaki Tokumasu said.
According to Kimiaki, in the past, most of Japanese society were farmers who did worship to the nature. But in line with the development of time, they feel the need to have good guidelines for life, and then they are interested and learning Islam. He added that today, Islam is a minority in Japan, but there is hope that it will be a great religion in the future. (VOI/DP/RHM)