Love and Faith in Japan: Three Stories of Japanese-Muslim Matrimony

Building Better Understanding

The lives of these three women offer different perspectives of female Muslims than what is often portrayed in the Japanese press. Unlike what common stereotypes may suggest, they seem to enjoy more freedom in such things as dress and employment and have equal footing in their relations with their husbands and children. However, this independence might simply be an outcome of Islam being a minor religion in Japan.

Japan Halal Association head Remon Hitomi insists that Islam does not oppress women. “People who do not know about the religion tend to see it as strict and scary,” she explains. “But even the Prophet Muhammad did house chores, saying that ‘heaven lies under the feet of your mother.’”

Remon, who wears a hijab in public, married a Muslim after converting to Islam at the age of 27. She says it is up to individuals to forge their own relationship with God and decide how best to worship. In the morning she usually wakes with her husband to pray but admits that some days she cannot drag herself out of bed. In her view, imperfection is the most human of traits; she emphasizes that the most important thing is to strive to be better.

“The media tends to focus on the strict tenets of Islam and the actions of extremists,” she explains. “But in reality, having faith is more important for most Muslims than arbitrary observance of religious laws. People who forge a relationship with God come to understand that Islam teaches kindness and tolerance, not violence.“

The number of Muslims in Japan will continue to rise as more people come to the country to work and the government keeps up its efforts to attract foreign visitors. Remon says she will keep working to educate people and raise awareness of Islam to make it easier for Muslims to integrate into Japanese society.