Japan Islamic Trust (JIT)

Japan Islamic Trust (JIT) is a Tokyo based Islamic organization headquartered at Masjid Otsuka in Toshima ward, tracing its origins to the Japan Islamic Cultural Center established in 1978. It operates eight mosques across Japan with Otsuka as its headquarters, and its community work spans religious education, marriage ceremonies, family counselling, funeral and burial assistance, and charitable programs such as feeding events for the homeless. In 2004 it opened the first Islamic kindergarten in Japan, later adding the International Islamia School Otsuka in 2017.

Halal certification is carried out by a dedicated certification body operating under the trust, staffed by practicing Muslims with expertise in their respective fields and supported by a team of international auditors and trainers. The body certifies food and beverages, slaughtering and meat processing, cosmetics, pharmaceutical products, food additives and supplements, and service operations including hotels, restaurants, hospital kitchens, airline catering, transport, and storage. It also issues organic and vegetarian certificates. Certification work references MS 1500, GSO 993, UAE.S 2055, ISO 22000, and SMIIC halal standards, and the body states that it complies with ISO 17065 and ISO 17021 requirements. The process moves from application through a two stage audit to issuance of the certificate and use of the JIT halal mark.

JIT is accredited by the Emirates International Accreditation Centre and describes itself as the first Japanese certification body accredited in the halal sector for the Middle East, dating from 2008. The Saudi Food and Drug Authority recognized the body in 2024, and further recognition comes from the Central Islamic Council of Thailand, the Halal Standard Institute of Thailand, and the Ministry of Health in Qatar, in addition to its listing by JAKIM in Malaysia.