In Fujisawa, a peaceful seaside town near Tokyo, a simple field of grass has become the center of a major debate about Japan's future. Local Muslims plan to build the town's first mosque on the land. However, the proposal has sparked strong emotions, ranging from fear and anger to hope for better mutual understanding.
"It makes me worry about how our community might change," says Noriko Izumizawa, a long-time resident of Fujisawa. Earlier this year, thousands of people protested near the local train station against the mosque. Some residents feel that a large mosque near a traditional Japanese Shinto shrine is disrespectful. Online, abusive comments and hate speech targeting Muslims have also increased.
The tension in Fujisawa reflects a wider challenge facing Japan. The country's population is shrinking and aging rapidly. In 2025 alone, Japan's population declined by nearly one million people. To fill open jobs, Japan is relying more on foreign workers. As a result, the foreign resident population has passed four million, and the number of Muslims in Japan grew from 230,000 in 2019 to roughly 420,000 by late 2024.
For foreign residents who have lived in Japan for decades, the growing hostility feels concerning. Mohamed Mohideen, a Sri Lankan businessman who moved to Osaka in 1987, says people have recently become more hostile toward Muslims. "On social media, there are countless comments like 'Get out of Japan,'" Mohideen explains. However, he believes the best response is patience and gentle communication, while also acknowledging that foreign residents must make greater efforts to help locals understand their culture.
Others emphasize the importance of following local rules to build trust. Shakeel Mohamed, a representative for a mosque in Saitama prefecture who moved from Pakistan 26 years ago, says respecting Japanese customs—such as sorting trash properly, obeying parking laws, and greeting neighbors—is essential.
Back in Fujisawa, some local business owners hope for open dialogue. Hiroki Suzuka, who runs a coffee shop opposite the proposed mosque site, believes people should try to learn about each other. "I think the first step is to learn about them," Suzuka said. "It begins with having an open mind and a desire to understand each other."
As Japan balances its traditional identity with an urgent need for foreign labor, small towns like Fujisawa are finding themselves on the frontlines of social change.