Halal logistics certification and regulations in Japan

Abstract

Halal certification bodies play their role of certifying products and ensuring that each product submitted for Halal inspection fulfils the need of Halal to be consumed by Muslims and meets the Halal standard. Nowadays, Halal certification is globally accessible in more than 60 countries, provided by a variety of Islamic centres and organizations alongside government institutions, issuing differing types of Halal certificates. As of February 2020, there are 84 foreign Halal certification bodies (FHCBs) in 46 countries certified and recognized by JAKIM. Japan has seven FHCBs certified by JAKIM, with its own Halal certificates and Halal logo. Besides these, Keigo Nakagawa, a researcher and consultant for the Tokyo-based Japan Halal Business Association, with 152 member companies, says there are 22 Halal certifying entities in Japan. Despite this, Japan’s Muslims are still yet to completely implement Halal due to confusion on several complex issues like logistics. For this particular issue, the Japanese Halal certification body will get more information from other Halal authorities in other countries, especially Malaysia. The most feasible terminology for Halal logistics is the appliance of Shariah law to the logistics process. This is often to ensure the Halal product must also go along the Halal logistics and in ensuring the Halal logistics, Halal integrity among the channel members must be applied. The Halal industry has now evolved from merely Halal food products to a holistic Halal concept that encompasses the whole range of economic activities, especially Halal logistics.