national

YKK starts serving halal meals at cafeteria in Japan

67 Comments

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© KYODO

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

67 Comments
Login to comment

The more the merrier! Great for them! Many major hotels down here in Okinawa are getting or have received certification for serving Halal food. We even have a supermarket that has Halal certified food as well!

Japan CAN make changes if it wants to!

-3 ( +15 / -18 )

Japanese (companies) will make changes only as it benefits them - if YKK were not able to make profits in foreign countries such as Indonesia or Malaysia then there wouldn't be any need for them to provide Halal food.

9 ( +12 / -3 )

Good on them.

People should be open to try various cuisine.

-8 ( +13 / -21 )

Do you know what halal meat really is? The animals have their throats slit while still conscious (not stunned as for non halal meat), their heads turned to Mecca while a prayer to Allah is being said. They suffer immensely.

24 ( +31 / -7 )

Good on them.People should be open to try various cuisine.

The thing is, these workers are seemingly not open to trying different cuisine - which is why this company feels obliged to provide them with this "halal" food.

13 ( +20 / -7 )

Very little difference between Halaal and Kosher slaughter.

Why should we be obliged to provide kosher, vegan and ofher foods?

10 ( +17 / -7 )

Anything that encourages people to eat more meat cannot be a good thing. And when, as Hermione2012 points out, the method of slaughter is even more horrendous than usual, it's definitely a Bad Thing.

pacint - what makes you put kosher and vegan together? One is cruel and causes suffering, the other aims to avoid cruelty and suffering.

7 ( +13 / -6 )

People should be open to try various cuisine.

The foods still the same only prepared differently.

Muslims are permitted to consume under Islamic Law,

My opinion on the matter being this is a slippery slope seeing as no one law should be adhered to if it pertains to a religious entity. What happens if the workers feel a need to dress a certain way because the religion says so? Work at certain times because religion says so? At all times just as the state is separated, work must be separated from religion as well.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

How about Kosher meals ? ... Vegan meals ?

-8 ( +1 / -9 )

I think all superstition should be discouraged rather than indulged. Especially the type of superstition that is taken seriously and seizes complete control of people's lives, telling them to do things they don't wish to do, or to refrain from doing harmless things they might otherwise wish to do.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Cleo.

Both are extremist, imho.

-1 ( +7 / -8 )

I wonder if YKK called their meals kosher instead of halal Moslems would still eat it?

On the other hand, I wonder how many religious people step out of their comfort zone to try different things. For example, Catholics used to have to eat fish on Friday and schools in the US served fish on Friday. But many, obviously, Catholics went for the hamburger instead.

8 ( +11 / -3 )

I prefer my meat haram... Anyway, if YKK has enough muslim employees on the payroll to justify it, why not?

1 ( +7 / -6 )

Otoh, nearly a 1/4 of the world population being muslim and it being the fastest growing religion(soon overtaking christianity).

Add in increase in asian foreigners(many muslim).

1 ( +3 / -2 )

@Hermione2012 Your opinion is based on religious hate. Halal means not consuming pork and alcohol. If you need to consume meat it should not be coming from a dead animal. Halal says the animal should be slaughtered so that the blood flows out and that's what humans have been doing for godzillion years. Stunning is a very recent industrial invention which is done only because of some economical benefits, not because its good for the animal. Killing an animal in anyway is not commendable.

-12 ( +4 / -16 )

If you are afraid of Islam's reaction to disapproving comments, why even post a story like this? Thanks.

To be fair, they don't allow comments that are disproving of belief in their own superstition either - comments critical of Christianity are always deleted.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

It's a good thing to see this company accommodating its foreign employees. It's even better that this was done as a voluntary service and not as a result of demands made the Muslim employees. The Halal certification of foods has caused huge problems in other countries with price increases to cover the cost the certificate and name changes as to not 'offend' the Muslims.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

@Strangerland

I think if they are afraid of any blowback or hate speech they should just disable the comments in the same way they do for paid advertisers. People would understand that the story is just too hot to handle. Simply deleting disapproving comments and leaving the approving ones creates a bizarre and misleading distortion of public opinion on any given issue. It's something akin to fake news.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

some political ideologies disguised as "religion" teaches nothing but apartheid, exclusion, supremacism and division IMHO

2 ( +2 / -0 )

I know that I will not be buying anything with YKK on it again.. shame on them for pondering to Sharia law. If they want to be fair - they should provide food for all, vegan, jewish and so forth.. otherwise its just wrong and should not happen in secular society - muslim want to train, they are welcome to eat with the rest.

0 ( +11 / -11 )

So Alex, everytime you buy a pair of pants, you're going to ask the store (which won't know) if the zipper was made by YKK before you buy it. Good luck with that.

I see nothing wrong with the company offering to serve halal food. No employee demanded it. It's good business sense. Many supermarkets do the same thing.

4 ( +10 / -6 )

If you want to eat something special because of your personal beliefs you should bring it from home.

Im tired of religion being given a special place in society when its is a contributing factor to so much bad, and the good things it does can, and are, achieved without it.

@esafzay, Not wanting animals to be killed inhumanly because thats someones interpretation of their chosen religious text is religious hatred? steady on, all things are open to question and enquiry, but sadly religious beliefs, all religious beliefs, are so often excluded because people mix up racism with issues with a religion and its tenants.

If we can't debate ideas, especially those that people will do nearly anything to protect and promote, then we are intellectually defunct.

Its not racist to say I think such and such religion, or all, are a pile of nonsense, it is my opinion and in a free country Im welcome to have it, just as people are free to believe as they like up until it effects someone else rights..

15 ( +16 / -1 )

pacintApr. 10, 2017 - 07:07AM JST Good on them. People should be open to try various cuisine.

There's nothing of trying a different cuisine here, just a special way of slaughtering animals. The cuisine is the same ... They can serve halal Japanese curry ...

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Historically, religious dietary edicts have been invented as a method of cearly distinguishing between believers and non-believers. It's a tool used to divide, segregate, control, and prevent the believers from eating or socialising with 'others' who hold 'dangerous' ideas. Should we be encouraging this in the 21st century?

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Eppee.

Partially agreed, but halaal like kosher is not just meat.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Epee, just a special awful way because of magic....

1 ( +1 / -0 )

If you want to eat something special because of your personal beliefs you should bring it from home.

I'd agree with you, if they were demanding it. But if a company wants to provide something special to it's employees because of that personal belief, that's just smart business.

It's like if I worked for a company and demanded they put a gym in the building for me - that would be unreasonable. But if I work for a company that puts in a gym for my personal use, that's going to make me more endeared to my company and less likely to leave - particularly if the company I may leave for doesn't have a gym.

-6 ( +4 / -10 )

Alex won't have to ask clerks if YKK made the zippers; its initials are on each and every zipper they make which is about each and every zipper in the world. He has to switch to pants with buttons or skirts without zippers. And, of course, he doesn't drive a car that consumes oil. Unless that oil comes from Venezuela.

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

I guess its a private company and in that way its "ok" they can do whatever they way, my point being this isn't accommodation for health, or probably even cost, its strictly because of a belief which I think in a secular country shouldn't have anything to do places of employment, and public in general, I question as to if meat being prepared in inhuman way should be protected.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

@Strangerland

I agree with you. Money talks. If a company employs hundreds of people who are terrified of stepping outside on Friday the 13th, then it does make sense for the company to implement some sort of work from home program. But that doesn't mean the rest of us shouldn't be allowed to ridicule these beliefs in an attempt to discourage them and help these people live a fuller and more integrated life without being paralysed by a fear of magic.

Moderator: Ridiculing religious beliefs is inflammatory and will not be permitted on Japan Today. If you wish to remain on the discussion board, you'll need to learn that.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

my point being this isn't accommodation for health, or probably even cost, its strictly because of a belief which I think in a secular country shouldn't have anything to do places of employment

And again, if they were demanding it, it would be unreasonable. But they aren't. And the stance that a company should not provide something special to their employees even if the company wants to do it is just as unreasonable as expecting a company to provide something unreasonable when they don't want to.

I question as to if meat being prepared in inhuman way should be protected.

Who's protecting it? It's a company doing something that they feel will provide a better working environment and/or further employee retention, it's simply a business move.

-5 ( +5 / -10 )

Catholics used to have to eat fish on Friday

Not quite true. We were obliged to abstain from meat on Friday. We were not obliged to actually eat fish. (And we still are, on Fridays during Lent.)

We don't/didn't have to eat fish. We can eat pasta, vegetables, bread, etc. on Fridays during Lent. It doesn't have to be fish. Just as long as we don't eat meat, it's okay.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Why would a Japanese company be interested halal meat the muslim population of Japan is so small - the slaughter of these animals is not good - that leaves only one answer the management must be getting a bigger bonus

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Welcome to Muslims for sure. No goood though if it starts to change and turn you to Sharia law with time. It all started this way in France (school, work, public areas...) Being tolerant is one thing, being naive is another. Guess why France is going to vote around 25% to Marine Le Pen. Making clear-headed decisions is relevant for your future these days...

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

There are tons of companies that make zippers.. YKK is not the only one and not the best one, just cheap. None of my proper gear has YKK zippers anyway .. and I dont drive a car , using oil today only enabling the petrodollar and sponsoring terror anyway.

3 ( +8 / -5 )

Nothing wrong with that. I actually think it's a good thing that companies try to accommodate their employees personal needs. The fact it's religion-related is imo anecdotal so i don't get why some posters are coming with their "see, YKK are promoting/accepting sharia law' bs (well I actually do get why).

Re vegans, I also hope there is something for them at the cafeteria (tomato/potato salad on mon/wed/fri, mashed potato on tues/thurs and a mikan for dessert will do. vegan menu sorted!)

2 ( +7 / -5 )

I guess they must have factories and so on in Malaysia or Indonesia or Pakistan or similar. Very thoughtful and employee friendly of them.

1 ( +7 / -6 )

Japanese companies have shortage of employees. Clever idea to get Muslim people work for them.

-10 ( +4 / -14 )

Roughneck gives an example why no personal belief should come into the public scene as some kind of obligation (not yet here in the case YKK). So far Japan is tolerant. I hope it will not turn out like Europe in the future.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Isn't fretting over how your chemical-laden, factory-farmed, processed meat is dispatched a bit rich?

-2 ( +4 / -6 )

Japan should join many European countries that have banned the Halal slaughtering method. Halal is a barbaric method of slaughter that causes immense suffering and pain to the animal. Look it up. It's brutal and disgusting...

12 ( +16 / -4 )

towingthelineApr. 10, 2017 - 12:20PM JST Japan should join many European countries that have banned the Halal slaughtering method.

Many European countries have banned Halal slaughtering ?!

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Islam. ...slowly taking over the world.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

How will one know it is Halal when after being cooked halal can't be differentiated from non-halal. The fact that a company says it does "A" doesn't necessarily mean they do "A" With the numerous food scandals and mislabeling here I would take any pronouncement from any company with a pitch of salt.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

YKK is planning the future. Good for them. Debate is essential.

-6 ( +5 / -11 )

Halal means not consuming pork and alcohol.

It means a lot more than that.

For meat to be halal, it must not be from a forbidden animal (like a pig, or a fanged predator, or a bird of prey, or vermin, or insects) or a forbidden cut (the hindquarters). The animal must be killed by having its throat slit, and it must be conscious up to the moment of cutting. Allah's name must be pronounced during the slaughter. The animal must be hung upside-down and allowed to bleed dry. The slaughter must be carried out by a Muslim or failing that, one of the People of the Book (Christian or Jew).

So it's a lot more than just 'not pork and not alcohol'. And it's far from being humane.

There’s now halal kobe beef and also hala whale flesh available.

Whales killed by having their throats slit by a Muslim, while the name of Allah is invoked? Then hung upside down to bleed out? I know the Japan Halal Association claims they have halal whalemeat, but I don't see how it's possible according to their own rules.

12 ( +15 / -3 )

It's incredible. It's the 21st century and people still get bent out of shape over how something should be killed or if it's consumable at all?!! Nuclear SMH!!

1 ( +6 / -5 )

Distasteful.

0 ( +5 / -5 )

Great for Japan - of course, a significant number of a worker shall be Muslims . Japan should adopt more understanding for others' culture and cuisine

-10 ( +3 / -13 )

Nice way to flush out the die hard extremist and keep an eye on them. Plenty of other foods they can eat to keep their Allah happy I'm sure or why not just bring their own religion appeasing bento from home like normal Japanese?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I think it's probably best to keep all religion out of the workplace - it's not really a suitable environment for it. It should be a private matter.

If the cafeteria isn't catering to your religious sensibilities, bring your own food.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Personally I find most "religious" rules about food to be vaguely ridiculous. Meat is meat, as long as it is healthy who really cares?

However, as a private enterprise, a company that wants to do this to either attract new employees or as a benefit to current staff is perfectly within their rights. Now, if it were happening in public institutions like school lunches, I would have a different answer. But a private company can do whatever they want, however stupid it is.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

There’s now halal kobe beef and also hala whale flesh available. - Whales killed by having their throats slit by a Muslim, while the name of Allah is invoked? Then hung upside down to bleed out? I know the Japan Halal Association claims they have halal whalemeat, but I don't see how it's possible according to their own rules.

Ah but, whale meat was not proclaimed to be Halal by any Muslim group. It was proclaimed by the Japanese retailers, which shows how little they know about the outside world.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

At least it will break up the standard Japanese fare at the cafeteria. Not everyone wants to eat ramen/soba/curry rice every day.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Actually religious dietary rules(every religion) make perfect sense, as they governed also preparation, storage 2-3k years ago when there was less, variety, refrigeration, etc.

The were followed because of religion and the punishement for not doing do was spelled out.

Those might be dated in modern rich societies though.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

@Hermione2012. So well said!

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

I guess it makes sense to have catered for the Muslim workers being trained there. However I wonder if each dish being served will come with a Certificate of authenticity....

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

Other corporations will copy YKK.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

It's good. The Company Cafeteria should serve Halal meal if Company has Muslim employees more than 30s. It looks like Muslim population is thriving in Japan. The Company should be supported them with prayer room as well. How many Mosques and Islamic Culture Centers open by Saudi Government in Japan? Saudi has been tirelessly promoting Islam religion and building Mosques in non-Muslim country to expend Islam religion. I believed Japan was one of Saudi targets because Muslims seen Japanese peoples as lack of interesting in their own Shinto Buddhism religion. I have no doubt Muslims want to expand their religion and culture in Japan. YKK initiative step will be model for other Companies which have Muslim employees. In Australia, all Schools, Universities and Offices and factories have Muslim prayer room for Muslim employees. However, some Companies are avoiding employing Muslim because they can’t accommodate Muslim with what they need.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Avoid Halal food!! Animal get slaughtered bestialic by let them bleed out under pain and stress.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Attila wrote

Personally I find most "religious" rules about food to be vaguely ridiculous.

Pacint wrote

Actually religious dietary rules(every religion) make perfect sense, as they governed also preparation, storage 2-3k years ago when there was less, variety, refrigeration, etc.

As Attila suggests, most of those rules aren't based on sensible criteria--even by the standards of two millennia ago. If they were based on sensible rules, we would expect prohibitions against shellfish, for example, to be widespread, instead of being limited to certain of the Abrahamic religions. Some religious dietary restrictions may be related to sustainability, but they generally have little rational basis.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

It's like if I worked for a company and demanded they put a gym in the building for me - that would be unreasonable. But if I work for a company that puts in a gym for my personal use, that's going to make me more endeared to my company and less likely to leave - particularly if the company I may leave for doesn't have a gym.

Once again. Strangerland cuts through a very involved, delicate often times confusing subject with the perfect analogy for such a sensitive religious topic;

a personal gym.

Kudos, Strangerland. You hit the nail on the head with the perfect balance of common horse sense and ingenuity.

Once again, a personal gym.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Kudos, Strangerland. You hit the nail on the head

I sure did!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Japanese do not follow religious rules if any. That is why tempura, sashimi, teriyaki,,,, sukiyaki, restaurants are all over. If Moslem foods are delicious, they will eat, ignoring Moslem hater gaijin.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

They eat food regardless of there are such religious people live in Japan or not. Check any cookbook. They use pineapple even though there is hardly any Hawaiian living in Japan. Other example. Japanese cook corns even they don't know corns are imported from Pa. Then many eat whale meat coming from somewhere. Muslim food, regardless of population of Moslem people in Japan, if tasting good, Japanese swill eat. Like Omaha filet minon and turkey ham. They Everest beef taco and pool' corn.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites