Japan may demolish mosque inaugurated by Pakistan's ambassadorJapanese authorities in Kawagoe, Saitama Prefecture, are pursuing the demolition of a mosque constructed without planning permission in a designated urbanisation control zone, after the building was inaugurated in a ceremony attended by Pakistan's ambassador to Japan, Abdul Hameed. The structure, known as the "Ramadan Grand Mosque," was erected on a 4,500sqm plot classified as mountain forest, where construction is generally prohibited under Japan's City Planning Act without specific governmental clearance.
City officials first identified the unauthorised construction in October 2024 following resident complaints. A formal stop-construction order was issued in December of that year. Despite a company representative's pledge to demolish the building within five years, an opening ceremony was held in April instead. Kawagoe Mayor Hatsue Morita stated plainly: "It is an illegal building constructed without permission in an urban development control area, we cannot tolerate the current situation."
Following scrutiny of the ambassador's attendance, Pakistan's embassy clarified that Ambassador Hameed had accepted the invitation "based on the information that all permits had been obtained in accordance with Japanese law," and urged the Pakistani community to "fully comply with Japanese laws in all matters, especially regarding the construction of places of worship." Japan currently has approximately 160 mosques, according to Waseda University Professor Emeritus Hirofumi Tanada.
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