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The mosque was constructed in an urban development control area where construction is generally prohibited unless specific permissions are secured under the City Planning Act.
The mosque that was inaugurated by Pakistani envoy has been termed as illegal by Japan. (Image: X)
A mosque inaugurated by Pakistan’s ambassador to Japan has been flagged as illegal by Japanese authorities, stating that the structure was built without permissions as required by local law.
The structure, located in Saitama Prefecture’s Kawagoe, is on a 4,500-square-metre plot of land designated as a mountain forest, which is an “urbanisation control area,” a zone where construction is not allowed without a special permit from the city.
According to a report by The Asahi Shimbun, the property records show that the land was transferred in March 2025 from the Fujimi real estate agent to a company registered at the Kawagoe site’s address.
“The building (mosque) was constructed in an urban development control area where construction is generally prohibited unless specific permissions are secured under the City Planning Act,” the municipal government said in an official statement.”The building in question was constructed without the city’s permission.”
The local media reported that the Yashio Masjid had consulted with the city and local residents before it opened in 2000 in a converted factory. In 2007, it became a registered religious corporation.
The mosque now exchanges information with the local town association, provides advance notice before large festivals such as Eid, and organizes community cleanups, The Asahi Shimbun reported.
62-year-old Shakeel Sheikh Mohammad, from Pakistan representing the Yashio Masjid, has condemned the construction in Kawagoe.
“If they are building a mosque without getting permission, that is not a good thing,” he said. “The environment for a mosque can only be established by getting along well with the local people.”
Amid this latest report, the Pakistani embassy in Japan said in a post on X on Monday: “The Embassy of Pakistan earnestly requests and emphasises to the Pakistani community residing in Japan that they fully comply with Japanese laws in all matters, particularly with regard to the construction of places of worship. No construction project may be initiated without obtaining the necessary permits from local governments.”
In another statement, the embassy said Ambassador Abdul Hameed accepted the invitation after the organisers informed him that all required approvals had been secured.
“The Embassy of Pakistan has no connection to any such projects, especially those that do not comply with the laws of local governments. This includes the event held in Kawagoe on April 3, 2026, for which the Ambassador of Pakistan accepted the invitation on the basis of information that all required permits in accordance with Japanese law had been obtained,” the Pakistani mission said in a separate statement issued on May 31.
The embassy also urged community members to cooperate with Japanese authorities. “Information regarding the legal aspects of all such projects should be communicated to all members of the community and to the residents of that area as well. The Embassy of Pakistan urgently requests all relevant members of the community to fully cooperate with Japanese authorities and to comply with Japanese laws in all circumstances, particularly in connection with projects of this nature,” it added.
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