Plans to build an Islamic religious site in Fujisawa, a laid-back seaside town about an hour’s drive south of Tokyo, have sparked a wide range of emotions. Long-time resident Noriko Izumizawa says she worries about how the community might change with the new mosque.

Community Fears and Hopes

Residents in Fujisawa are experiencing a mix of anger, fear, hope, and acceptance as the debate over the mosque unfolds; these emotions reflect the growing anxieties over immigration and social change in Japan, where the population is shrinking and ageing. Although immigration remains politically sensitive and restrictive, Japan is increasingly relying on foreign workers to fill open jobs, bringing with them diverse cultures, languages, and religions.

Protests and Hate Speech

Anti-mosque protests flared up at the local train station earlier this year, where thousands took to the streets to object to the proposed construction; some argue that a mosque much larger than the nearby Japanese Shinto shrine is disrespectful. There have also been reports of hate speech and misinformation spreading on Japanese social media. Mosques have been receiving abusive phone calls and emails, some of which have prompted anti-hate groups to organise counter protests calling for no hate.

Hiroki Suzuka, who manages a coffee shop opposite the road where the Fujisawa mosque is set to be built, calls for greater understanding and dialogue. Suzuka says the first step is to learn about Islam and its values. He emphasizes the importance of having an open mind and a desire to understand each other.

Experiences of Muslim Residents

Businessman Mohamed Mohideen has lived in Osaka for the past 39 years. He moved from Sri Lanka in 1987 for better work opportunities during the economic bubble. Mohideen has dealt gemstones and worked in trade, exporting used cars to countries like Sri Lanka and Pakistan. He has noticed a shift in attitude towards Muslims in recent years, with people making hurtful remarks both online and in person.

Mohideen goes to the Osaka mosque every day for prayers and other duties as a member of the local Islamic community. He has never felt that his life was in danger, but he has noticed the increase in verbal abuse. Members of his Muslim community have been called terrorists and accused of making bombs. Mohideen believes the only way to respond is with patience and kindness, as Japanese people generally do not know much about Islam.

Mohideen also acknowledges shared responsibility for the rift. He believes that the Muslim community could have done more to help people understand who they are and to become part of the society. He is committed to working harder to increase dialogue and build better mutual understanding.

Shakeel Mohamed, 61, has been representing the Yashio mosque in Saitama prefecture for the past decade. He had worked as a construction site supervisor for 26 years after moving to Japan from Pakistan. Mohamed emphasizes the importance of following Japan’s rules, including sorting refuse properly, obeying parking laws, and wearing helmets when riding a bicycle. He also highlights the importance of courtesy, such as greeting people.

Immigration vs identity

Japan is grappling with its identity in the face of huge demographic shifts. According to Hirofumi Tanada, a professor emeritus at Waseda University who studies the faith in Japan, the Muslim population in Japan, including foreign residents and Japanese believers, numbered roughly 420,000 at the end of 2024, up from 230,000 in 2019. The country’s growing Muslim population reflects a greater nationwide trend. The foreign resident population, mainly from China, Vietnam, South Korea, and the Philippines, surpassed four million in 2025. A record 2.57 million of them work in Japan, according to government data. In the same year, Japan’s population declined by nearly 1 million.

Government officials have long avoided describing the country as an immigration country, but push visas that are seen as more temporary than permanent. Critics describe this as a “stealth” immigration system. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has adopted a highly conservative stance against large-scale immigration. In June 2026, the Japanese government decided to raise visa fees for foreign nationals fivefold, after not having increased the amount for nearly 50 years. Now, the government is planning to increase the number of employees at the Immigration Services Agency by about 230 people, aiming to strengthen enforcement against foreigners illegally overstaying. Officials may also introduce a limit to manage the number of foreign residents in the country.

As immigrant communities become more visible, the country is being forced to confront a question it has long tried to avoid: Can Japan become a more diverse country while preserving its sense of identity and cohesion that it values? Back in Fujisawa, Izumizawa admits she has never had a negative experience with a Muslim neighbour herself. She acknowledges that her fears might stem from the unknown.