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Becoming a Muslim in Japan
The Journey of Faith and Identity
Series: - Religion and the Social Order, Volume: 31
Author:
What draws someone to Islam in a country where few people even know a Muslim? In Becoming a Muslim in Japan, you meet 62 Japanese converts whose journeys defy common assumptions. Their stories are not about crisis, but curiosity. They speak of unexpected encounters, moments of reflection, or quiet admiration that gradually deepened into faith. Based on immersive fieldwork and interviews, this book shows how Islam is not adapted in isolation but interwoven with Japanese values. If you are interested in religion, identity, or cultural transformation, this book offers rare access to spiritual lives shaped across boundaries â personal, cultural, and national.
Elif BüÅra Kocalan, Ph.D. (1987), is Assistant Professor of Sociology of Religion at Hitit University. Her research interests include religious conversion, minority experiences, identity, and everyday religion.
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1 Turning Points of Muslim Presence in Japan
â1âThe Ertugrul Incident
â2âWar with Russia â Tatar Refugees
â3âEarly Japanese Muslims
â4âEarly Mosques
â5âIncreasing Research on Islam before the World War II
â6âPost-war Japanese Economy â Second Wave of Muslim Immigrants
2 Muslims and Islam in Contemporary Japan
â1âMuslims Today
â2âPerceptions on Islam
3 Religion and Identity in Japan
â1âSecular Lives, Ritual Practices, and Ambient Religiosity
â2âDiverse Paths of Religious Socialisation
â3âLearning Religion through Cultural Transmission
4 Conversion to Islam in Japan
â1âFirst Stage â the Memorable Encounter
â2âSecond Stage â the Evaluation Phase
â3âThird Stage â Decision and Conversion
5 Between Tradition and Faith â the Japanese Muslim Identity
â1âFirst Reactions
â2âInvisible Religious Identity
â3âReconciling Identities without a Crisis
â4âJapanese Identity and Belonging to Japanese Society
6 Life as a Japanese Muslim â Identity, Challenges, and Adaptation
â1âPractical Challenges
â2âPersonal Challenges
â3âSocial Challenges
â4âReflecting on Japanese Society
7 Community and Belonging â the Role of Mosques and Muslim Networks
â1âParticipating in Events Organised by Mosques and Masjids
â2âBarriers to Participation
â3âRelations of Japanese Muslims and Immigrant Muslims
Conclusion
Appendices
Bibliography
Index
Introduction
1 Turning Points of Muslim Presence in Japan
â1âThe Ertugrul Incident
â2âWar with Russia â Tatar Refugees
â3âEarly Japanese Muslims
â4âEarly Mosques
â5âIncreasing Research on Islam before the World War II
â6âPost-war Japanese Economy â Second Wave of Muslim Immigrants
2 Muslims and Islam in Contemporary Japan
â1âMuslims Today
â2âPerceptions on Islam
3 Religion and Identity in Japan
â1âSecular Lives, Ritual Practices, and Ambient Religiosity
â2âDiverse Paths of Religious Socialisation
â3âLearning Religion through Cultural Transmission
4 Conversion to Islam in Japan
â1âFirst Stage â the Memorable Encounter
â2âSecond Stage â the Evaluation Phase
â3âThird Stage â Decision and Conversion
5 Between Tradition and Faith â the Japanese Muslim Identity
â1âFirst Reactions
â2âInvisible Religious Identity
â3âReconciling Identities without a Crisis
â4âJapanese Identity and Belonging to Japanese Society
6 Life as a Japanese Muslim â Identity, Challenges, and Adaptation
â1âPractical Challenges
â2âPersonal Challenges
â3âSocial Challenges
â4âReflecting on Japanese Society
7 Community and Belonging â the Role of Mosques and Muslim Networks
â1âParticipating in Events Organised by Mosques and Masjids
â2âBarriers to Participation
â3âRelations of Japanese Muslims and Immigrant Muslims
Conclusion
Appendices
Bibliography
Index
This book appeals to scholars, students, academic libraries, and specialists in religious and Japanese studiesâas well as curious readers beyond academia interested in Islam, identity, and Japanese culture and society.