Abstract
In Japan, foreigner inflow has been active since 1980s “bubble condition”. And, in recent years,
research on foreigner society in Japan has been also promoted in the field of geography. This paper
focuses on the Muslim society in Japan, and aims to clarify how the everyday lives of Muslims interacts
with the activities of masjid (Mosque), and how masjids as a religious space change with the expansion
of the Muslim, society in Japan. The case study object was “Masjid Otsuka”, which is in the Toshimaward
of Tokyo. The main findings of this study are summarized as follows:
1) Reflecting the socio-economic development of Muslims, Masjid Otsuka has expanded and improved
its activities in the past 20 years. The development of Masjid Otsuka has been influenced’ by the
growth of Muslim society in Japan which continuing since 1990s, and it reflects higher accessibility
from both the city center and the suburbs because of its location in the center of the city. Various
activities of masjid are developed by a flexible management system.
2) Analyzing the daily life of Muslims and the relationship of masjid, labor carries a significant weight in
a Muslim’s daily life, and those Muslims who live in suburban areas have difficulty visiting the masjid.
Thus, Muslims in Japan put weight on the existence of masjid by comparing worship behavior at
workplaceor home, and masjid. Worship behavior in appropriate environment is the primary purpose
to visit masjid.
3) As an ancillary role to visit masjid, there are communication and exchanging information, or religious
education to children. According to the residence and the socio-economic situation, Muslims can be
categorized as “Neighborhood residential type”, “Single living and simple labor type”, “Family
residential and professional working type”, “Participation type”.
Muslims have various needs for masjids due to their different socio-economic situations, and masjid
develops its activities responding to their needs. As a result, Masjid Otsuka became a facility for
Muslims to relate to their faith subjectively, and embrace a lot of Muslims from various regions.
