Vol. 2 No. 2 (2025): International Conference on Advanced Multidisiplinary Studies (IConAIS 2024)
Articles

Tolerance and Diversity: The Dynamics of Indonesian Muslim Students Studying in Japan

PDF
  • Rahmad Purnama,
  • Alhaady Nur M,
  • Listiyani Siti Romlah
Rahmad Purnama
Raden Intan State Islamic University of Lampung, Indonesia
Alhaady Nur M
Raden Intan State Islamic University of Lampung, Indonesia
Listiyani Siti Romlah
Raden Intan State Islamic University of Lampung, Indonesia

Published 2025-07-30

Keywords

  • Tolerance, Diversity, Muslim Students, Education

Copyright (c) 2025 Rahmad Purnama, Alhaady Nur M, Listiyani Siti Romlah (Author)

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Abstract

This study aims to explore tolerance and diversity among Muslim students studying in Japan. Using qualitative research methods, this study collected data through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with 5 Muslim students from Indonesia who are studying at several universities in Japan. The results show that Muslim students face a number of challenges in adjusting to Japanese culture, such as differences in social values and norms, and limited facilities that support religious practices. However, they also experience a learning process that enriches their understanding of diversity. Interactions with Japanese and other international students open up opportunities for cross-cultural dialogue, which in turn encourages attitudes of tolerance and appreciation of differences. In addition, findings show that support from local Muslim communities and student organizations play an important role in helping international students to adapt and build social networks. This study concludes that the dynamics of Muslim students in Japan not only reflect challenges, but also contribute to the strengthening of tolerance and diversity in a global context. The implications of this study are expected to provide perspectives for educational institutions and policies related to cultural integration in an international academic environment.  

PDF

References

  1. Amin, Ali. "From Mushalla to Mosque: The Formation of South and Southeast Asian Muslim Communities in Japan." Al-Albab 8, no. 1 (2019): 3. https://doi.org/10.24260/alalbab.v8i1.1050.
  2. Hadisaputra, Prosmala. "Implementation of Tolerance Education in Indonesia." Dialogue 43, no. 1 (2020): 75–88. https://doi.org/10.47655/dialog.v43i1.355.
  3. Hariyadi, Edy. "'Demand Knowledge in the Land of Sakura': Studying in Japan in the Perception of Indonesian Muslim Alumni of Japan." Thaqafiyyat 14, no. 1 (2013): 27-57. www.jasso.go.jp.
  4. Ishak, Deding. "Differences in Religious Education in Japan and Indonesia." Journal of Social Science 4, no. 1 (2021): 1-10.
  5. Ishak, Nurfaika. "Religious Tolerance in the Constitution and Guarantees for the Protection of Human Rights." Journal of Scientia Indonesia 8, no. 1 (2022): 53–70. https://doi.org/10.15294/jsi.v8i1.35953.
  6. Ishomuddin, DS VS, Effendy TD, Suzuki N Kashimura A. "The Struggle of Islamic Teaching and Local Values in Japan." International Journal of Sociology and Anthropology Research 3, no. 4 (2015): 40-47. https://www.eajournals.org/wp-content/uploads/The-Struggle-of-Islamic-Teaching-and-Local-Values-in-Japan.pdf.
  7. Mihara, Reiko. "Schools for Muslims in Japan: A Comparative Study of School Accreditation With Reference to Cases in the Netherlands and England." SocArXiv December 1 (2022): 1-28.
  8. Odiljon Ernazarov. "Islam in Japan and Its Distinctive Features." International Engineering Journal for Research and Development 5, no. 9 (n.d.): 1-6. https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/49R6B.
  9. Okai, H. "Analysis on Non-Muslim Residents' Perceptions of Islam and Muslims in One Local Japanese Community." Kyoai Gakuen University Journa 20 (2020): 99-119.
  10. Okai, Hirofumi, and Norihito Takahashi. "Conflict and Coexistence among Minorities within Minority Religions: A Case Study of Tablighi Jama'at in Japan." Religion, State and Society 51, no. 3 (2023): 267–82. https://doi.org/10.1080/09637494.2023.2222616.
  11. Introduction, Counseling, Eco Concept, Astari Minarti, Nurhikmah Budi Hartanti, Sally Cahyati, and Maya Indrasti Notoprayitno. "JUARA: The Raising Awareness Program for Introducing Eco-Masjid Concept in Kitakyushu Islamic Cultural Center (KICC) Japan A," 2024, 210-22.
  12. Syahraeni, Andi. "Islam in Japan." Rihlah: Journal of History and Culture 5, no. 2 (2018): 80–101. https://doi.org/10.24252/rihlah.v5i2.4163.
  13. Tanada, H. "Nihon Ni Okeru Isuramukei Shūkyō Dantai to Communitī [Islamic Religious Organizations and Local Communities in Japan]." Social Analysis, 45 (2018): 75-94.
  14. Widayanto, Wahyu Nurramadan, Satria Akmal Akhmad, Femita Adelina, and Puji Rahayu. "Tolerance and Attitudes toward Diversity in Concrete Operational Stage Children" 229, no. Iciap 2018 (2019): 156–63. https://doi.org/10.2991/iciap-18.2019.13.
  15. Yamagata A. "Perceptions of Islam and Muslims in Contemporary Japan." New Voices in Japanese Studies 11 (2019): 1–25. https://doi.org/10.21159/nvjs.11.01.
  16. Yulita IR, Ong S. "The Changing Image of Islam in Japan: The Role of Civil Society in Disseminating Better Information about Islam." Al-Jami'ah: Journal of Islamic Studies 1, no. 57 (2019): 51–82. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.14421/ ajis.2019.571.51-82.
  17. Proceedings Article:
  18. Prasetyo, Beny, Bayu Aryanto, and M Hum. "Changes in Japanese Perceptions of Islam Before and After Living in Indonesia." Proceedings of the 3rd National Seminar on Literature, Language and Culture (SEBAYA) 3 (2023): 68-77.
  19. Books:
  20. Janson, M. Islam, Youth and Modernity in the Gambia: The Tablighi Jama'At. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2014.
  21. Google articles/web:
  22. Amelia Rizkiani. "Muslim Students Tell Stories About Student Exchange Experiences in Japan." Almuslim University superior professional and Islamic, 2022. https://umuslim.ac.id/?p=6697.
  23. "Current Development of Muslims in Japan." International Professional Institute, 2022. https://www.ipi.ac.id/perkembangan-muslim-di-jepang-saat-ini/.