Authorities in Japan are moving to demolish a mosque near Tokyo that was inaugurated by Pakistan's ambassador, after it was built without proper permits in a protected area. The 'Ramadan Grand Mosque' in Kawagoe, Saitama Prefecture, was constructed on a 4,500-square-metre plot classified as mountain forest within an urbanisation control zone.
City Mayor Vows Swift Action
Kawagoe Mayor Hatsue Morita stated this week that the city 'cannot tolerate the current situation' and is working to resolve the matter quickly. 'It is an illegal building constructed without permission in an urban development control area,' she said, according to Sankei News. 'We want this building to be demolished as soon as possible and are considering how to guide them.'
The dispute has become one of Japan's most contentious planning rows involving a mosque, highlighting tensions between the country's growing Muslim population and strict local regulations.
Illegal Construction Discovered
City officials first learned of the project in October 2024 after residents reported a steel-frame building under construction. By the time inspectors arrived, the exterior was nearly complete. Authorities struggled to identify those responsible: the landowner, a real estate agent in neighbouring Fujimi, claimed the property had been sold but refused to name the buyer, citing privacy. Workers at the site, who were foreigners, could not be questioned effectively due to language barriers.
In December 2024, a 'stop construction' order was issued. The land changed hands in March 2025, transferred to a company registered at the same address as the mosque complex, according to property documents cited by the Asahi Shimbun.
Opening Ceremony Despite Demolition Promise
Kawagoe city officials said the mosque was built without necessary clearance under the City Planning Act. The company representative promised to demolish the building within five years, but instead, an opening ceremony was held in April 2026. Images and videos online showed a large gathering of worshippers, with Pakistan's Ambassador Abdul Hameed praising the project as a symbol of friendship and religious inclusion, as reported by BBC Urdu.
The Pakistani embassy later clarified that the ambassador attended based on assurances that all permits had been obtained. The embassy urged the Pakistani community in Japan to 'fully comply with Japanese laws in all matters, especially regarding the construction of places of worship' and stated it had no involvement in projects that violate local laws.
Growing Muslim Population
Japan's Muslim population has grown, leading to an increase in mosques. According to Hirofumi Tanada, professor emeritus at Waseda University, there were approximately 160 mosques in Japan as of 2025. The Kawagoe case underscores the challenges of accommodating religious facilities within Japan's strict planning framework.
