Halal Certification Bodies in Japan
6 halal certification bodies in Japan hold recognition from JAKIM, the halal industry's most influential authority.
Source: JAKIM's official recognition list, gazetted under the Trade Descriptions (Certification and Marking of Halal) Order 2011, as at 30 January 2026.
Japan certifies halal without a government authority. No ministry or state agency issues halal certificates, so the work falls to private Islamic organizations, and several of them have secured JAKIM recognition independently. That is why the Japanese entries on the recognised list are a mixed group rather than a single national scheme.
The mix reflects how Islam is organised in Japan. The Japan Muslim Association, the country’s oldest Muslim organization, and the mosque-linked Japan Islamic Trust operate as religious corporations. Others, such as the NPO Japan Halal Association, the Muslim Professional Japan Association, the Nippon Asia Halal Association, and the Japan Halal Foundation, are structured as non-profit or professional associations focused on certification services.
Scopes are not interchangeable. JAKIM recognises each body for specific categories, so one may cover slaughtering while another covers processed food or ingredients, and exporters need to match the body to the product.
Demand comes mainly from two directions: Japanese food and beverage manufacturers exporting to Muslim-majority markets in Southeast Asia and the Gulf, and the inbound tourism sector serving Muslim travellers. For Malaysia-bound trade in particular, a certificate from a JAKIM-recognised Japanese body is the practical entry ticket.
Compare the recognised bodies
| Body | Certifies | Est. | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| JMA | products intended for export markets | 1952 | muslim.or.jp |
| JHA | products and raw materials, slaughter, restaurants and kitchens, warehousing and transport | 2010 | jhalal.com |
| JIT | food and beverages, slaughter and meat processing, cosmetics, pharmaceutical products, hotels, restaurants, and catering, transport and storage | 1978 | islam.or.jp |
| MPJA | food, beverages and raw materials, cosmetics and cosmetic ingredients, pharmaceuticals, consumer goods, slaughterhouse, logistics, restaurants and hotels (Muslim Friendly certification) | 2013 | mpja.jp |
| NAHA | food products and beverages, restaurants and food service, hotels and accommodation, cosmetics, slaughtering and processing | 2013 | web.nipponasia-halal.org |
| JHF | food and beverages, restaurants, accommodation facilities, cosmetics | 2015 | japanhalal.or.jp |
Recognised bodies
6 entries- Japan Muslim Association (JMA) 3-17-23 Higashigotanda Shinagawa-ku Tokyo 141-0022 Japan muslim.or.jp
- NPO Japan Halal Association (JHA) 2F Excel Abiko 3-17-4 Karita Sumiyoshi-ku Osaka 558-0011 Japan jhalal.com
- Japan Islamic Trust (JIT) 3-42-11 Minami Otsuka Toshima-ku Tokyo 170-0005 Japan islam.or.jp
- Muslim Professional Japan Association (MPJA) Yoshioka Bldg 3F 4-32-1 Yotsuya Shinjuku-ku Tokyo 160-0004 Japan mpja.jp
- Nippon Asia Halal Association (NAHA) 5F, CICC Building 2-6-2 Matsunami Chuo-ku, Chiba-shi 260-0044 Japan web.nipponasia-halal.org
- Japan Halal Foundation (JHF) As-Salaam Bldg. 1F, 4-6-7 Taito, Taiko-ku Tokyo 110-0016 Japan japanhalal.or.jp
How to verify a certificate issued in Japan
Confirm the issuing body appears on JAKIM's current recognition list (this page reflects the gazetted list as at 30 January 2026), then check the certificate against the certifier's own register and, for the Malaysian market, the official JAKIM halal portal. Recognition can be withdrawn, so always verify at source before relying on a certificate.
Frequently asked questions
How many halal certification bodies in Japan hold JAKIM recognition?
6 halal certification bodies hold JAKIM recognition in Japan, per JAKIM's official gazetted recognition list dated 30 January 2026.
Why does JAKIM recognition matter for a Japan halal certifier?
JAKIM (Department of Islamic Development Malaysia) is the halal industry's most influential authority. Recognition means the certifier's halal certificates are accepted for products entering Malaysia, and it is treated across the global halal trade as a strong third-party credibility benchmark.
Does Japan have a government halal authority?
No. Japan has no state agency that regulates or issues halal certification. Certification is carried out by private Islamic organizations, including religious corporations and non-profit associations. Because there is no single national standard, recognition by overseas authorities such as JAKIM is what gives a Japanese halal certificate weight in export markets.
Which Japanese body should I approach for slaughter versus processed food certification?
Scopes differ by body, and JAKIM recognition is granted per category, such as slaughtering, food processing, or ingredients. A body recognised for processed products is not automatically recognised for slaughterhouses. Check the scope column on this page, then confirm the current scope directly with the body and against the latest JAKIM recognised list before committing to an audit.
Will a halal certificate from a Japanese body be accepted for exports to Malaysia?
Generally yes, if the certificate was issued by a body that holds current JAKIM recognition for the relevant product category. Malaysian authorities accept certificates from recognised bodies for imported ingredients and products. Exporters should still verify that the body's recognition is active and covers the specific scope, since recognition status can change between JAKIM list updates.