First halal meat plant begins operation in Japan

The first facility in Japan capable of producing meats to Islamic "halal" standards has begun operation.

Situated in Honjo, Saitama Prefecture, the Honjo Shoku-niku Centre can butcher meat to halal standards quickly and safely thanks to special halal butchering machinery. The centre is the only facility in Japan to have installed such specialised machinery.

The centre hopes to increase exports of Japanese beef to Islamic countries. Honjo Shoku-niku learned of halal preparation methods about 16 years ago when it granted a request from Muslim residents in neighbouring Gunma Prefecture to use its facilities.

In 2008, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) certified Shoku-niku Centre as a location where halal foods could be produced - the first such meat-processing facility in Japan. The specialised machinery, which is widely used in Europe, was introduced as a condition for receiving the authorisation.