TWMCC Hosts Lecture on “Muslims in Japan: Challenges and Opportunities”
- 2025-Sep-25
The World Muslim Communities Council (TWMCC) held an online lecture, titled "Muslims in Japan: Challenges and Opportunities", presented by Mr. Kyoichiro Sugimoto, the translator of the Holy Qur’an into Japanese.
In his address, Sugimoto highlighted the many difficulties he encountered while translating the Qur’an from Arabic into Japanese, noting that he dedicated great effort to fully understanding the meanings in order to convey them as faithfully as possible.
He recounted his personal journey to Islam, which began in 1996 when a Muslim friend invited him to visit Bangladesh. There, he met her family and was struck by their generosity and hospitality, despite meeting him for the very first time. This encounter left a lasting impression, and upon returning to Japan, he began to read and learn more about Islam.
Eventually, he came across a Japanese translation of the Qur’an and, upon reflecting on its verses, became convinced that the words were divine rather than human, leading him to embrace Islam.
Sugimoto further explained that the center he works with is committed to spreading the teachings of Islam beyond national boundaries and fostering peaceful coexistence among all.
He observed that Japanese society increasingly perceives Muslims as open-minded, which has helped reshape attitudes toward Islam. The center also invites non-Muslims to attend its annual Ramadan iftar, offering them an opportunity to engage with and better understand the Islamic faith.
