By Admin 
Japan Mosque Controversy: Controversy has arisen over the construction of a mosque in Kawagoe city of Saitama province of Japan. The local administration says that the mosque was constructed without necessary government permissions. After the matter came to light, Pakistan Embassy in Japan has distanced itself from this project and made it clear that it does not support any such construction work which is done without following the local laws. Also, the Embassy has appealed to the Pakistani community living in Japan to completely follow the local laws.
Allegation of construction without permission
The disputed mosque has been built on a land area of 4,500 square meters in Kawagoe city of Saitama province. This land is registered as mountain forest area and comes under urban development control area. According to local rules, construction work is generally prohibited in such areas without special permission. According to the report of Japanese newspaper The Asahi Shimbun, this land was transferred from a real estate company to another company registered at the Kawagoe address in March 2025.
City administration expressed objection
Kawagoe Municipal Administration has said that the construction of the mosque was done without obtaining the necessary approvals. The official statement of the city administration said that this building has been built in an area where construction is not allowed without special permission under the city planning law. According to the administration, the building in question was constructed without the approval of the city.
Pakistan’s ambassador had arrived at the inauguration ceremony
This matter is also in discussion because Pakistan’s Ambassador to Japan Abdul Hameed had attended the inauguration ceremony of the mosque this year. The ambassador’s presence brought additional attention to the project and subsequently led to questions being raised about construction regulations.
The second mosque was an example of cooperation with the local community
According to The Asahi Shimbun report, the Yashio Mosque has long been working in coordination with the local administration and residents. The mosque began in 2000 in a converted factory and was officially registered as a religious institution in 2007.
For years this organization has been sharing information with local mohalla committees. Before big events like Eid, local people were informed and members of the mosque have also been taking part in cleaning campaigns.
Pakistani community representative expressed displeasure
Shakeel Sheikh Mohammed, a 62-year-old Pakistani national representing the Yashio Mosque, has criticized the Kawagoe Mosque project. He said that if a mosque is being built without permission then it is not right. He said that a favorable environment for any mosque can be created only when good relations are established with the local people.
The embassy appealed to the community to obey the law
After the matter came to light, Pakistan Embassy issued a statement on social media platform X on Monday. The embassy appealed to Pakistani citizens living in Japan to fully comply with Japanese laws in all matters. Especially regarding the construction of religious places, emphasis was laid on taking necessary permission from the local administration. The embassy said that no construction project should be started without obtaining necessary approvals from the local administration.
Embassy distanced itself from the project
In another statement issued on May 31, the Pakistan Embassy clarified that Ambassador Abdul Hameed had accepted the invitation to attend the inauguration ceremony only on the basis of information that all necessary permissions had been obtained as per Japanese law. The embassy said it has no connection with any construction project that does not comply with local laws. This also includes the program organized in Kawagoe on 3 April 2026.
Read this also: Claims to have defeated Eurofighter by 9-0 against Chinese J-10C fighter jet, Dragon is again spreading lies, read the full story.
Appeal for cooperation with local administration
In its statement, the embassy appealed to community members to cooperate with the local administration and disseminate information about the legal status of such construction works to the community and nearby residents. The embassy said that legal information related to all such projects should be shared with all community members and local residents. All concerned have been urged to fully cooperate with the Japanese authorities and follow local laws under all circumstances.