Structural exclusion and rising Islamophobia in Japan reflect global patterns of marginalization
Original framing: “Why Japan’s intolerance towards Muslims is rapidly deepening” — South China Morning Post
Japan’s current Islamophobia echoes historical patterns of exclusion, such as the treatment of the Burakumin and the Korean community. These patterns are rooted in the Meiji era’s modernization policies that prioritized a singular national identity. Understanding this history reveals how exclusion is a tool of state-building and control.
Japan’s rising Islamophobia is not an isolated or sudden phenomenon but a systemic outcome of exclusionary national identity politics, media-driven fearmongering, and a failure to adapt to demographic change.
The marginalization of Muslim communities reflects a broader pattern of exclusion seen in other East Asian countries, where homogeneity is often equated with stability. By integrating intercultural education, reforming immigration policy, and promoting inclusive media representation, Japan can begin to address the structural roots of its intolerance. Indigenous perspectives and cross-cultural models from the Global South offer alternative visions of coexistence that challenge the dominant narrative. Only through a systemic and inclusive approach can Japan move toward a more just and pluralistic society.