Japan’s halal food market poised for growth amid rising Muslim demand

 As Japan’s halal food sector enters a decisive stage, its growth is being fueled by growing demand from Muslim-majority countries and an anticipated influx of Muslim tourists for upcoming international events.
 
One major influence on the market is Indonesia’s halal product assurance law, which will soon require mandatory halal certification for all imported goods. 
 
“There are currently more than 1,000 halal-certified companies in Japan, primarily focused on exports,” says Hind Remon, chairperson of the Japan Halal Association (JHA). “While food remains a key category, demand is now expanding to include raw materials used in cosmetics, ahead of Indonesia’s planned implementation of the law for non-food items in October 2026.”
 
These materials now account for about 60–70% of Japan’s halal-certified exports, according to Remon.
 
Consumer-ready halal goods represent a smaller portion of the market, although exports of halal-certified Wagyu beef—especially to Malaysia and Indonesia—are on the rise.
 
“While exact certification numbers are difficult to obtain, Japanese export-oriented companies are increasingly seeking halal certification, especially in the food ingredient and cosmetics sectors,” says Shinya Yokoyama, co-founder of Food Diversity Inc., Japan’s leading halal food information provider.
 
Domestic demand remains low
 
At home, Japan’s halal market primarily serves the country's growing Muslim population and inbound Muslim tourists. According to Kyodo News, Japan’s Muslim population grew from 110,000 in 2010 to 350,000 at the start of 2024
 
In terms of inbound tourism, Malaysia and Indonesia constitute a combined 2.8% of Japan’s total inbound arrivals in 2024, with 506,883 and 517,651 visitors, respectively. Meanwhile, travelers from the Middle East represented just 0.5%, or roughly 166,259 visitors.
 
According to Yokoyama, knowledge of halal remains limited among local consumers, with most choosing restaurants based on taste rather than halal authenticity. 
 
Proliferation of halal dining hubs and initiatives
 
Over the past decade, halal-friendly restaurants have sprung up across Japan, though they remain heavily concentrated in large cities such as Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka.
 
Tokyo, in particular, has become a hotspot for halal dining—especially the Ueno district, known for its popular halal yakiniku (Japanese-style BBQ) restaurants.
 
Beyond urban centers, Hitoyoshi City in Kumamoto Prefecture has emerged as a halal destination. There, the hot spring inn Ayunosato has gained popularity among Muslim tourists for serving what Yokoyama describes as "the freshest halal beef in Japan,” while Ryokan Ayu no Sato, a riverside inn, has been offering halal-certified meals since 2019.
 
Another success story is Malaysian food services provider Brahim, which partnered with Japanese retailer Muji in 2020 to sell halal-certified ready meals across more than 400 outlets. Brahim has since opened four food outlets in Japan, the most recent launching in April 2025.