Interview Aska

She has been eating halal since childhood, abt 4 or 5. Living in Tokyo, she finds it challenging to find halal food. especially at convenience stores where ingredients are often unclear. She usually opts for halal-certified restaurants, such as Indian, Turkish, Indonesian, and sometimes sushi places. (fish is permissible)

Explaining her dietary restrictions to Japanese ppl can be difficult, as many misunderstand halal dietary laws and assume allergies. To simplify, she often says she is allergic to certain ingredients like pork. it’s a religious restriction tho. 

She notes that Japan has become more aware and accommodating of halal and other dietary needs in recent years, with more halal options like ramen now available. But compared to Islamic countries like Pakistan, where halal food is the norm, Japan still requires more vigilance in checking labels and ingredients due to language barriers and unfamiliarity. 

She also mentions the difficulty in finding Hala snacks, such as gummies, due to ingredients like gelatin, and express a desire for clearer labeling and more halal-certified products in Japan. 

overall, while Japan is improving in accommodating halal diets, she finds it more challenging than in countries where halal food is standard, and she hopes for continued progress in awareness and availability.