Japan Halal Summit 2014 paves the way for Halal in Japan

Opening remarks by HDFJ General Secretary Mohammad Zubair
Opening remarks by HDFJ General Secretary Mohammad Zubair

The Halal Development Foundation Japan (HDFJ) was honoured to hold a landmark first Japan Halal Summit 2014 in Tokyo on 04 Aug 2014. With the participation of 20 countries plus Japanese foods, Beverages, Pharmaceutical and tourism sectors, the landmark summit paved the way for Japan to fully go to Halal and successfully reach its target of 20 million tourists by 2020.

Distinguished guests who took part in the first Japan Halal Summit were OIC-SMIIC Chairman H.E Hulusi Senturk, H.E Hassane Hzaine, the director general Islamic Center for Development of Trade ICDT, H.E Abdurrahim Hasan Naqi, the Secretary General Federation of GCC Chambers of Commerce FGCCC, H.E Prof. Dr. H.M Din Syamsuddin, the Chairman of Majlis-e-Ulama Indonesia MUI, H.E Dr. Dr. Saleh Ben H.Alaayed, the Secretary General International Islamic Halal Organization IIHO, H.E Mufti Abbysasov Rushan, Deputy Chairman Russian Muftis Council, H.E Dr. Hani M. Al-Mazeedi, Associate Research Scientist the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, H.E Dato Haji Abdul Karim Malik Kassim, State Minister for Religious Affairs, Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs PENANG Malaysia, Mr. Rushdi Siddiqui , Head of Islamic Economy and Senior Partner Dinar Standard, Mr. Mohammed Jinna, Chairman United World Halal Development Singapore, Dr. Winai Dahlan, Founding Director The Halal Science Center Chulalongkorn University Thailand, etc.

The Chief Guest of Japan Halal Summit 2014 was H.E Manabu Sakai the deputy minister, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan. Speaking at the opening ceremony of Japan Halal Summit, H.E Manabu Sakai appreciated HDFJ efforts for organizing first Japan Halal Summit 2014 and inviting the world’s leading Halal organizations and experts to Japan. The Deputy Minister emphasized Japan’s efforts to invite 20 million tourists to Japan by 2020.

Rushdi Siddiqui explaining the opportunities in Halal markets.
Rushdi Siddiqui explaining the opportunities in Halal markets.

All the distinguished guests highly appreciated the role and contribution of the Halal Development Foundation Japan’s organisation of the landmark Halal Summit in Japan, a non-Muslim country. They expressed their support for the efforts of Japan to promote Halal and Islamic Finance. Japanese participants, particularly the representatives of local governments, foods and beverage industries, expressed their satisfaction that they learned valuable knowledge about Halal, Halal Trade, Halal Certification and Halal Tourism.

“The first Japan Summit is a great success as the meeting is a clear sign that Japan and the Muslim World are ready to work together in promoting Halal in Japan. The participation of the world’s leading Halal Organizations, OIC-SMIIC, ICDT, FGCCC, MUI, United World Halal Halal Development, GHC, Dubai Accreditation Center DAC, The Halal Center Thailand and Development of Halal Industry Philippines is clear evidence that Islamic Countries and leading Halal bodies are willing to cooperate with Halal Developments in Japan.

Deputy Minister of Tourism of Japan H.E Manabu Sakai
Deputy Minister of Tourism of Japan H.E Manabu Sakai

“On the other hand, the participation of the Deputy Minister of Tourism of Japan H.E Manabu Sakai and the key representatives from leading Japanese companies and local government is an expression from the Japanese side that they are serious to promote Halal,” said Mohammad Zubair, General Secretary of Halal Development Foundation Japan, the host and the organizer.

According to the Japan National Tourist Organization, a combined total of more than 300,000 tourists visited Japan from the predominantly Muslim nations of Malaysia and Indonesia last year, more than double the 140,000 who visited in 2011.

Obtaining halal certification is vital for Japanese companies seeking entry into Muslim markets, while a growing number of tourists from Muslim nations are expected to offer good business opportunities to Japanese firms. The Summit conveyed a concrete message to the Japanese industries that they can adopt best Halal Standards which HDFJ is advocating.

“We’d like to use ‘one halal standard,’ to implement the best halal certification in Japan, to ensure it will be accepted in every Muslim country. HDFJ is inaugurating their Halal Certification in partnership with the Gulf Halal Center on the basis of the OIC-SMIIC Halal Standards  which have already been signed by 20 Islamic Countries,” said Mohammad Zubair, general secretary of Halal Development Foundation Japan Inc. (HDFJ), at a press conference during the first day of a two-day Japan Halal Summit 2014. Such a standard would make it easier for Japanese companies to enter Muslim markets.

According to the Japan National Tourist Organization, a combined total of more than 300,000 tourists visited Japan from the predominantly Muslim nations of Malaysia and Indonesia last year, more than double the 140,000 who visited in 2011.

MUI Chairman
H.E Prof. Dr. H.M Din Syamsuddin, MUI Chairman

The HDFJ hopes the outcome of the summit will help promote business between Japan and Muslim nations by providing accurate information about the halal products of Japanese companies, as some firms are hazy about what is permitted and what is not.

The Japan Halal Summit served as a first step in forming the foundations for presenting accurate halal information to Japanese companies and government organizations as well as presenting information about Japan’s superb technologies, products and hospitality from a Muslim perspective, the HDFJ said.

The Japan Halal Summit was attended by organizations from around 20 Muslim countries—including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Philippine,  and Pakistan—as well as OIC, ICDT, FGCCC and about 80 Japanese companies, ministries, agencies, organizations and the local governments.