The changing image of Islam in Japan: The role of civil society in disseminating better information about Islam

Abstract

This research focuses on the changing of image on Islam in Japan and the efforts of Japan's civil society to eradicate Islam's negative image created by Japan's mass media. In preparation for the coming 2020 Olympic Games, the government, the local NGO, and even individual are taking initiatives to create a Muslim-friendly atmosphere. I try to look into their efforts to disseminate information, as well as to counter demagogues about Islam and Muslim. I have conducted in-depth interviews with 10 Muslims residing in Japan added with 2 respondents taken from book, and compared their stories with Japanese articles, books, and academic journals. My conclusion is that despite the success in making Japanese society more amicable to foreign Muslims, the human relations problems within the Muslim community must take prioritize to improve the response of Japanese society.