Halal Certification Body in Japan to Facilitate Access to Halal Services

IQNA – A Halal Certification Body has been established in Japan to strengthen access to halal services for Indonesians living and visiting the country.

The Indonesian government launched the first Indonesian Muslim Community-Based Halal Certification Body, or Halal International Trust Organization (HITO), at the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo on Sunday, September 29, 2024.

HITO is a community-based halal certification body under the Indonesian Muslim Community (KMII). Its purpose is to assist local food businesses in Japan to adopt halal policies and implement halal product principles. Currently, HITO’s halal certification is only intended for the Japanese market and is not export-oriented.

Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas officially launched HITO, accompanied by the Indonesian Ambassador to Japan and the Federated States of Micronesia, Heri Akhmadi, and the Head of the Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH), Muhammad Aqil Irham, at the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo. The launch was also attended virtually by the Executive Director of the National Sharia Economy and Finance Committee (KNEKS), Sholahudin Al Ayub.

Ambassador Heri Akhmadi stated that the launch of HITO represents a strengthening of cooperation between Indonesia and Japan to facilitate companies entering the halal food market on the one hand and increasing the availability of halal food products for the Muslim community, particularly Indonesians living in Japan.

"Today, we celebrate the launch of HITO, the first Indonesian Muslim community-based halal certification body in Japan, specifically designed for the Japanese market. The Japanese halal market continues to grow, with a projected value of over USD 68 million by 2024, expanding at an annual growth rate of 6.3%. This growth is driven by increased demand from the local Muslim community and the rising number of Muslim tourists visiting Japan. Currently, there are around 180,000 Indonesians living in Japan, the majority of whom are Muslim. This growing community, besides contributing to Japan’s cultural diversity, also underscores the need for a halal certification body that understands the requirements for Muslims in Japan," explained Ambassador Heri.

"HITO is a halal certification body that not only adheres to global halal standards but also considers local conditions and Japan’s unique cultural values. HITO certification is specifically designed for the Japanese market, bridging religious adherence with the values of quality, precision, and care, which are characteristic of Japan," added Ambassador Heri, accompanied by a number of officials from the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo, Also in attendance were the Chairman of the Indonesian Muslim Community (KMII) in Japan, Muhammad Zahrul Muttaqin, and the Chairman of HITO, Erwin Avianto.

Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas stated that the establishment of HITO has a strategic significance. “HITO certification will be an important part of the halal ecosystem in Japan built by the Indonesian Muslim community. The launch of HITO is also expected to expand access for Indonesian halal products, including MSME products, to a broader international market. This is not only an achievement for MSMEs but also a significant step in supporting Indonesian halal products to compete globally, while strengthening bilateral relations between Indonesia and Japan in the economic sector, particularly in the halal industry.”

During the launch, halal certificates were handed over by the Head of BPJPH, witnessed by the Minister of Religious Affairs, to four foreign halal certification bodies in Japan, namely the Japan Muslim Association, Japan Halal Association, Muslim Professional Japan Association, and Japan Islamic Trust.

The event also included the presentation of HITO halal certification by Ambassador Heri Akhmadi to five companies in Japan, including Nine Stars Co. Ltd., ruparupa Japan, Monggo Moro, Maruzen Co. Ltd., and Ani & Ivan.

The meeting concluded with a panel discussion on building a halal ecosystem in Japan, featuring speakers from KMII Japan, Japan Islamic Trust (JIT), entrepreneur Ishihara Gyu, and the Muslim Professional Japan Association. The discussion concluded that HITO enriches the halal ecosystem in Japan and will collaborate with all stakeholders in the Japanese halal industry and consumer sector moving forward.

Source: kemlu.go.id