I am optimistic that the Indonesian halal industry in the future can develop in Japan
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas has said that based on his halal product strengthening visit to Japan, he is optimistic Indonesian halal products will manage to penetrate the Japanese market.

"Yesterday, I talked about several cooperation opportunities between Indonesia and Japan within the context of the halal industry. I am optimistic that the Indonesian halal industry in the future can develop in Japan," he added here on Monday.

During his work visit to the Land of Sakura sometime ago, he was accompanied by Head of the Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH), Muhammad Aqil Irham. In Japan, the minister met with local halal authorities and the Indonesian ambassador at the Tokyo Embassy.

Qoumas said that he had formulated a plan with the Indonesian Ambassador to Japan, Heri Akhmadi, to take advantage of opportunities to get Indonesian halal products to Japan.

"I believe that this is interesting because Japan is one of the tourism destinations for Indonesians. Meanwhile, we saw on the field that halal foods are still hard to get. Even if they do exist, they are Malaysian or Pakistani-style foods," he informed.

The minister also directly observed the evaluation of foreign halal institutions (LHLN) in Japan, Japan Islamic Trust (JIT), and Japan Muslim Association (JMA) so that they could get accreditation.

The LHLN accreditation was undertaken for the sake of mutual acceptance and mutual recognition of halal certificates. If a mutual recognition agreement is established, then there will be no more barriers to halal product trade between the two countries.

In addition to JIT and JMA, there are two other halal institutions that have submitted requests for halal product cooperation with the Indonesian government, namely Muslim Professional Japan Association and Japan Halal Association (NPO).

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Translator: Asep Firmansyah, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Sri Haryati
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