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Most Japanese view Islam negatively, calling it “backward” and opposing Muslim immigration
Recent surveys highlight entrenched fears and unfavorable attitudes toward Islam across Japanese society.
Over 60% of respondents describe Islam as "radical," "aggressive," or "backward," while fewer than 25% regard it as "peaceful" or "tolerant."
An overwhelming 95% of Japanese oppose Muslim immigration, despite nearly 30% supporting the entry of foreigners more broadly.
The Kurdish Muslim communities in Saitama and Tokyo face particular attention, often linked with concerns over crime and illegal residency.
Young people, including both high school and university students, tend to associate Islam with terms such as “intolerant” and “strange.”
Between 2017 and 2019, surveys showed that 62% of Japanese considered Islamism a serious national security risk.
While tourists from Muslim-majority countries are generally welcomed, local Muslim residents frequently encounter suspicion and marginalization.
Public attitudes have contributed to government moves toward deporting undocumented Kurdish immigrants from Turkey amid mounting backlash.