The “Halal research society” organized with mainly international students attending Utsunomiya University held a monitor tour in the city on the 25th in accordance with the designated significant intangible folklore cultural assets “Yamaage-matsuri Festival“ held in Nasu-Karasuyama city. The Muslim participants ate Halal box lunches and posted their evaluation on the tour on Facebook. The research society will search for effective plans for attracting customers together with tourism industry officials based on the voices of Muslim participants.
This tour was a part of the approach aiming for “local creation by Halal correspondence.” According to Representative Mr. Tomomatsu, there are approximately 110,000 Muslims are currently residing in Japan. Tourists are also increasing, and he mentions that there is a chance for “Halal-friendly Omotenashi (hospitality) business, which becomes a great pillar for tourism.” The mother of the 3rd year University student belonging to the research society, Moe Mochizuki (22) and also a city council, Chitose Mochizuki (52）became a bridge in organizing this event.
Participants were 16 international students from five countries including Malaysia and Indonesia. They visited the city by JR Karasuyama line and ate Halal karaage lunch boxes made by Koga-ya grocery store after praying and saw the Yamaage-matsuri Festival. Norio Ooya attended the complimentary, and mentioned that “I would like to make Halal products using agricultural produce, and deepen interactions with the research society.”
