26th August 2011
Why the Japanese are not interested in Islam Ahmad Shiozaki (Assistant Professor, School of Theology, Doshisha University)
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The objective of this presentation is to discuss why Islam cannot be significant in the Japanese society, politics, and culture. We consider historical, religious, and cultural backgrounds. We also discuss how we should present Islam in contemporary society. 2
The Muslim Society in Japan 1: history About 100 years history, since the modernization of the Meiji era There were only few Muslims before the era. In the early 20 century, most of Muslims in Japan were Muslim merchants from India and exiles from Central Asia after the Russian Revolution. 3
The Muslim Society in Japan 2: Ethnicity About 100,000 Muslims living in Japan (0.07%) 30,000 Indonesians 20,000 Pakistanis 20,000 Bangladeshis 10,000 Iranians 10,000 Japanese and others (Arabs, Turkish, African, Malays) 4
The Muslim Society in Japan 3 - About 50 mosques and musollahs - “Da’wah” had almost no achievements. - Failure of succession between generations. (Most of Muslim children were assimilated in value system of the Japanese society.) -There’s almost no influence on the Japanese society from Muslims. Muslims cannot be “social problem”.
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Historical Background 1 Ōkawa Shūmei (1886-1957) an ideologue of “East Asian Co-prosperity Sphere” “There are 3 great powers in Asia, Japan, Communists, and Islam.” Problems of Asian Revival. 1922
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Historical Background 2 During the World War Two, the Japanese Army planned maneuvering Muslims organizations in China and the Southeast Asia. In this era the Japanese was most interested in “Islam” in their history. Indonesia Raya (1943) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QvyLkdl1_ s&playnext=1&list=PL230A5CD288D359EF 7
Historical background 3 After the World War Two, the Japanese lost interest in “Islam”. Oil import from the Middle East was important for Japanese economy. But they were not interested in religion. Even after the launch of “the War against Terror”, they consider it is conflict between Christians and Muslims, none of their business. 8
Religious Background
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The Religions in the Japanese Civilization 1 - Most of the Japanese practice Shinto and Buddhism, but very secular today. - Ancestor worship as the core of Japanese religions - Shinto: Very similar to popular Taoism, Mixture of worshipping ancestors and animism - Buddhism : The largest is Pure Land Buddhism. 10
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Comparison with Christianity in Japan 1 - In 1549 first Jesuit mission arrived. - Rulers allowed propagation, because missionaries mediated trades with Europeans. - Christianity spread rapidly until the early 17th century. Every year ten thousand Japanese embraced Christianity. (about 5 % at the peak) - Thousands of Christians who rejected conversion were burned to death.
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Comparison with Christianity in Japan 2 - Tokugawa Shogunate considered Christians as agents of European colonizationalists. Conversion to Buddhism was forced. After defeat of armed uprising by a part of Christians (1637-1638), thousands of Christians were burned to death from 17th century to 19th century. - After the revival in the Meiji era, today population of Christians are about 1 million (1%). 13
Characteristics of Contemporary Japanese Society 1 Highly developed mass society - Indifference to politics and thought - “The Collapse of Grand Narrative” - End of “Intellectual Class” - Disappearance of local community - Sub-culture became mainstream. - University is not intellectual authority anymore.
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Characteristics of Contemporary Japanese Society 2 Hate to monotheism - In Japan it is believed that monotheisms (Christianity, Islam, Marxism) are cause of conflict, monotheisms are intolerant, exclusive, cruel. - It is also believed that polytheisms (Buddhism and Shinto) are tolerant, inclusive, and peaceful.
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Conclusion 1 - The Japanese always reject Western values and other foreign values. - The Japanese love their own values. They believe their “polytheistic values” can realize world peace. - In Japan most influential medias are “manga” and “anime”. “Grand theory discourse” cannot attract them. 16
Conclusion 2 - The Japanese are not interested in transcendental values and abstract discourse. It is only persuasive way to show justice and fairness practiced by real Muslims. - Until Khilafah will be re-established, and until Khilafah will become most superior civilization, the Japanese will not be interested in Islam. 17