Pakistanis build mosque illegally in Japan, embarrassments follow

Kawagoe city (TIP): For Pakistan’s diaspora in Japan, a mosque built illegally in Kawagoe city has become a matter of predicament. The mosque, inaugurated in April in the presence of Pakistan’s Ambassador to Japan, Abdul Hameed, is now facing the possibility of demolition after local authorities determined that it had been constructed without the permissions required under Japanese law.
Kawagoe City Hall, the municipal government administrative centre of the city, has made its position clear regarding the illegally built mosque. “The building (mosque) was constructed in an urban development control area where construction is generally prohibited unless specific permissions are secured under the City Planning Act,” an official statement by the City Hall said.
“The building in question was constructed without the city’s permission,” the statement added. It further said that the City Hall authorities spent considerable time guiding those involved toward corrective action.
Authorities have also received requests from relevant parties to demolish the mosque, and the proposal has been accepted for review, according to the City Hall statement.
After it was found out that the mosque was built illegally, the Pakistani embassy in Tokyo found itself in an unusual position. It clarified that it had no connection with projects that violate Japanese laws. In two carefully worded statements, the Pakistan embassy urged members of the Pakistani community to fully comply with Japanese regulations, particularly when constructing places of worship.
“The Embassy of Pakistan earnestly requests and emphasises to the Pakistani community residing in Japan that they fully comply with Japanese laws in all matters, particularly with regard to the construction of places of worship. No construction project may be initiated without obtaining the necessary permits from local governments,” the Pakistan Embassy posted on X on June 1.
Notably, the embassy stated that Ambassador Abdul Hameed attended the mosque’s inauguration on April 3 after being informed that all necessary approvals required under Japanese law had been obtained.
In a separate statement on May 31, the Pakistani mission in Japan said that no construction project should begin without securing the required permits from local authorities.