Halal International Trust Organization has been established in Japan to brace the access to halal services for Indonesian people living and visiting the land of the rising sun.

Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – In an effort to brace the access to halal services for Indonesian people living and visiting Japan, the Indonesian government launched the first Indonesian Muslim community-based halal certification institution or Halal International Trust Organization (HITO) at the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo, on Sunday (29/9).

HITO is a community-based halal certification institution under the Indonesian Islamic Community Family (KMII), aiming to assist local food entrepreneurs in Japan to have halal policies and implement halal product principles.

Currently, HITO halal certification is only intended for the Japanese market and is not export-oriented, the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a written statement received by Indonesia Window on Monday (Sept. 30).

Indonesia’s Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas led the official launch of HITO, accompanied by the Indonesian Ambassador to Japan and the Federation of States of Micronesia Heri Akhmadi, and the Head of the Halal Product Assurance Organizing Agency (BPJPH) Muhammad Aqil Irham at the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo.

The launch was also attended virtually by the Executive Director of the National Committee for Sharia Economics and Finance (KNEKS), Sholahudin Al Ayub, online.

Ambassador Heri Akhmadi stated that the launch of HITO represents a strengthening of cooperation between Indonesia and Japan to facilitate companies entering the halal food market on the one hand and increasing the availability of halal food products for the Muslim community, particularly Indonesians living in Japan.

"Today, we celebrate the launch of HITO, the first halal certification institution based on the Indonesian Muslim community in Japan, which is specifically designed for the Japanese market," Heri Akhmadi said.

According to Heri, the Japanese halal market continues to grow with a projected value of more than 68 million U.S. dollars in 2024, and is growing at an annual growth rate of 6.3 percent.

This growth is driven by increasing demand, both from the local Muslim community and the growing number of Muslim tourists visiting Japan, he noted.

“Currently, there are around 180,000 Indonesian citizens living in Japan and the majority are Muslim,” he said, adding that the growing community, in addition to contributing to Japan's cultural diversity, also underscores the need for a halal certification institution that understands the requirements for Muslims in Japan.

"HITO is a halal certification institution that not only complies with global halal standards, but also considers local conditions and the unique wisdom of Japanese culture," Ambassador Heri explained.

HITO certification is specifically designed for the Japanese market, bridging religious obedience with the values ​​of quality, precision, and care, which are characteristic of Japan, according to Ambassador Heri who was accompanied by a number of officials from the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo.

Chairman of the Indonesian Islamic Community (KMII) in Japan Muhammad Zahrul Muttaqin and the Chairman of HITO Erwin Avianto also attended at the event.

Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas said that the establishment of HITO has a strategic meaning.

"HITO certification will be an important part of the halal ecosystem in Japan built by the Indonesian Muslim community in Japan. The launch of HITO is also expected to expand access for Indonesian halal products, including those of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to a wider international market," Yaqut said.

According to the minister, this is not only an achievement for MSMEs, but also a big step in supporting Indonesian halal products to compete globally, while strengthening bilateral relations between Indonesia and Japan in the economic sector and especially in the halal industry.

On the occasion, a halal certificate was handed over by the head of BPJPH witnessed by the minister of religious affairs to four Japanese foreign halal institutions, namely, the Japan Muslim Association, the Japan Halal Association, the Muslim Professional Japan Association, and the Japan Islamic Trust.

The inauguration ceremony was also followed by the handover of HITO halal certification from Ambassador Heri Akhmadi to five companies in Japan, namely, Nine Stars, Co. Ltd., ruparupa Japan, Monggo Moro, Maruzen Co. Ltd., and Ani & Ivan.

The meeting ended with a panel discussion on the formation of a halal ecosystem in Japan with speakers from KMII Japan, Japan Islamic Trust (JIT), entrepreneur Ishihara Gyu and the Muslim Professional Japan Association.

The discussion concluded that HITO has enriched the halal ecosystem in Japan and will work together with all stakeholders of the halal industry and consumers in Japan in the future.

Reporting by Indonesia Window