Osaka Expo rejects request for more prayer rooms due to limited space

Good. Stop the constant pandering.

sounded out the expo organizer about introducing mobile mosques, but a senior official of the association said there was "no space," 

Is not much to ask, there are needs praying room, there are needs for special needs toilet, there are needs for family friendly environment. The reply from Japanese oyaji will be simple, mendouksai or just made up same excuse like no space.

The ring that will become the main exihibt area is 60,000 square meters. Not only that, many countries cancelled their participation which can easily make some extra space. Country that alread withdrew such as: Estonia, Elsavador, Mexico, Greece, South Africa, Russia

https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/society/general-news/20241227-230114/

Can’t they pray outside like they do in London?

Some countries choose not participate, however other countries, with moslem majority country are participating such as  Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and others.

 https://www.mofa.go.jp/ecm/ec/page22e_000942.html

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That Expo will be lasted from 2025 April to 2025 October, the existence of praying room can be useful otherwise visitors from those countries just simply left or even uninterested. From more 60,000 square meters and more space, organizer really reluctant to accomodate that simple request?

If I remember rightly, the Koran permits Muslims to reduce the number of their daily prayers when they cannot find time and place to worship. Anyway, the Osaka Expo will be a big failure with or without Muslim visitors.

"" While the exact capacity has not been disclosed, an association official said the room is likely to be able to accommodate only a dozen or so people. ""

NO NEED for a prayer room at all, Muslims can pray anywhere as long as a clean Prayer Rug is available which most Muslims normally carry with them while traveling.

That's the problem with religions: they are very demanding and the rest of us have to accommodate their made-up needs.

Now the demands start.

I can't understand why prayer must be confined to a room. To me, prayer can be done anywhere—out in the open, atop a tree, beside a boulder—anywhere at all.

Indonesia and other countries can add prayer rooms to their pavilions if they want to. No need to bother those with other or no religion. If they don't have the space on their pavilions, why do they think the expo has room?

The spaces need to be gender separated. So they take up more space than many people assume.

MeiyouwentiToday  08:00 am JST

If I remember rightly, the Koran permits Muslims to reduce the number of their daily prayers when they cannot find time and place to worship. Anyway, the Osaka Expo will be a big failure with or without Muslim visitors.

Yes it does. However some demand things. This also happens in Ramadan where some refuse to take medicine where (according to the kuran) you can. Some take it to the extreme (As some religions do)They can also substitute fasting days if they are ill and have to take medication as long as it’s before the next Ramadan.

Yes, they can do make up prayers if they missed them. It’ll start of with a prayer room here. Then a prayer room in schools, then they’ll want two prayer rooms just for men and women. A good point above maybe the Muslim pavilions can provide prayer spaces.

Actually Japan is one of the world leaders for offering prayer rooms to visitors. I have seen them at airports and department stores.

Praying for visitors is a good idea.

Needs may not be met? One prayer room for a World Expo? sheesh

I suppose there's no such thing as bas publicity. The Expo has made it into the headlines again! Surely an empty room is an easy thing to sort out. Stick a portakabin in there somewhere.

Someone above mentioned the prayer rooms in the airports etc. Yeah, they absolutelly ruined the nice little shopping area a kansai airport for that.

Why should a secular, public facility like a world exposition be obliged to cater to any religion? Like the US, Japan's Constitution provides for separation of church and state.

Can’t they pray outside like they do in London?

Not if it’s anywhere near an abortion clinic - silent prayer would get you arrested. Though if you’re Muslim, it's probably fine... gov quick to crack down on peaceful Christians but wouldn't dare touch Muslims for fear of being called "intolerant!"

That's the problem with religions: they are very demanding and the rest of us have to accommodate their made-up needs.

Exactly, if they have a special need, they must take care of it themselves.

Sorry if your religion is so strict and you*must" do something in a place not dominated by your specific religion, then the solution is to stay home.

My parents were staunch Catholics, church at a minimum every Sunday etc... and traveled all over the world.

They understood that in certain place, certain situations they would not be able to attend church or even find one their entire trip, so they had to travel without that option or they would have to remain home or travel only to places they were 100% sure to be able to go to mass.

It isn't the job of others to provide you with your religious needs, you chose that religion that was your choice and I respect your choice but it was not my choice or that of Japan and the Japanese so don't expect us to cater to your special needs.

The only time special needs should be required to provide for are those that are not the choice of the individual, like visually impaired, wheelchairs, hearing impaired, etc...

Don’t think it’s okay to inconvenience others with your religious opinions.

Poor manners.

Indonesia and other countries can add prayer rooms to their pavilions if they want to. No need to bother those with other or no religion. If they don't have the space on their pavilions, why do they think the expo has room?

Interesting point.

Perhaps they could make their entire pavilion a prayer space?

It's a WORLD EXPO built to accommodate travels from every corner of the globe. The tone deaf responses are very telling.

deanzaZZR

Today 10:17 am JST

It's a WORLD EXPO built to accommodate travels from every corner of the globe. The tone deaf responses are very telling.

Ok using that logic.

Why not provide/build some churches, but don't forget Catholic, protestant, multiple Easter orthodox, a couple of synagogues including orthodox and progressive, and why not include a few Mosques while we are at it a Shia and Sunni. Oh let's not forget Hindu, Sikh and the different Buddhist temples.

Can you now see how ridiculous and out of hand things can get if we start catering to everyone who has a special religious need?

no space for it there.

accept it or dont go.

as simple as is.

Good for Japan. If anyone really did need these "prayer rooms", they can compromise and pray elsewhere ie their hotel room. It's really not that complicated.

Travelling overseas is always about making some compromise with things like customs, foods, clothing, use of language etc. If any prospective visitors disagree, they are most welcome to stay home where these things are all perfect for them.

Ok using that logic.

Why not provide/build some churches, but don't forget Catholic, protestant, multiple Easter orthodox, a couple of synagogues including orthodox and progressive, and why not include a few Mosques while we are at it a Shia and Sunni. Oh let's not forget Hindu, Sikh and the different Buddhist temples.

Can you now see how ridiculous and out of hand things can get if we start catering to everyone who has a special religious need?

Perhaps best to keep it specific here.

My understanding is that the prayer spaces can be temporary and can accommodate people of different faiths. We are not talking about erecting places of worship.

Maybe best to approach it from the angle of the impracticalities mentioned. Also, it goes without saying that not a single Yen of public money should be spent catering to religious opinions.

If it’s doable and is paid for privately, okay.

If not, well, sorry and don’t expect others to inconvenience themselves.

Can you now see how ridiculous and out of hand things can get if we start catering to everyone who has a special religious need?

Exactly. "special religious need" does not equate to a responsibility by others to provide for it.

It is not responsibility.

Money always wins. Especially when it comes western values vs money. Don't take my word, look at luxury malls in Europe. It will win in Japan too given everything they have been doing to milk out visitors.

When people of different religions, cultures, and backgrounds support one another—offering kindness, compassion, and space for these practices—it fosters unity and peace. That’s why many airports, railway stations, and malls, even in non-Islamic countries, provide prayer facilities. This inclusiveness reflects a spirit of generosity and acceptance, showing that humanity can thrive when we embrace each other’s differences with open hearts.

Comments like “if you want to pray, don’t come” stem from a narrow, unkind mindset that only divides us. Such attitudes are like toxins—they spread bitterness and conflict, tearing apart the fabric of our shared world. There’s no virtue in fueling division; true goodness lies in building bridges and lifting each other up.

In January, a reporter from Indonesia, which has the world's largest Muslim population, sounded out the expo organizer about introducing mobile mosques, but a senior official of the association said there was "no space," and instead called for such rooms to be set up in individual pavilions.

This is the request?

The Indonesian journalist has questioned the lack of prayer space at the expo venue

"Worship is indispensable for Muslims, and it is disappointing that (creating adequate prayer space) was not taken into consideration,"

Indonesian people, like this journalist, are very welcome to stay home. I'm sure they'd find all manner of other things in Japanese culture they'd disagree with, from people's attire, to the food, alcoholic beverages everywhere, and many others. They likely would have an unpleasant time.

I know a number of Muslims and have never seen anyone of them praying during the day.

When I was in Indonesia, I asked the employees at the hotel I was staying if they prayed and the answer was a no, with a smile on their faces.

I do not think a Trade Expo should have prayers rooms as anyone who feels that they need to be praying should do so at their hotels.

Osaka Expo 2025 is expected to offer halal food options.

Seems kyodo just gaslighting.

Who made the request? When?

ian

Today 12:14 pm JST

Seems kyodo just gaslighting.

> Who made the request? When?

All in the article.

This actually started as far back as last September and escalated in January as Indonesian news started pushing the story.

Antiquesaving

Today 12:25 pm JST

ian

> Today 12:14 pm JST

> Seems kyodo just gaslighting.

> Who made the request? When?

> All in the article.

> This actually started as far back as last September and escalated in January as Indonesian news started pushing the story.

So who made the request? When?

And what exactly was the request?

There are many prayer rooms in Japan although not strictly Muslim.

Wallace

If a place chooses to provide a prayer room it’s ok it’s up to them, if they don’t have room or don’t want to it should be accepted. Nobody should have special rights and make demands on society due to their religious beliefs.

falseflagsteve

If a place chooses to provide a prayer room it’s ok it’s up to them, if they don’t have room or don’t want to it should be accepted. Nobody should have special rights and make demands on society due to their religious beliefs.

It is correct for the organizers of an international expo to try and provide for the cultural needs of the expected visitors including diet requirements. If additional prayer rooms are needed it's easy enough to set up some large tents in the area.

I hope there are separate toilets for males, females, and the disabled.

No one is claiming special rights.

Countries have paid to be part of the expo.

While the specific amount each participating country paid for the Osaka Expo 2025 is not publicly available, it's estimated that the central government will spend 164.7 billion yen (approximately $1.16 billion) on the event, with the central government, local authorities, and the private sector investing 9.7 trillion yen in infrastructure development

Some posters' whine glasses are very full.

"The Osaka 2025 Expo, with an estimated 28 million visitors, is projected to inject an estimated 1.9 trillion yen into the local economy and organizers aim to cover 90% of operational costs (82 billion yen) through admission fees. "

The are three Mosques in Osaka. Japan as a whole has around 230,000 Muslims.