[Industry Trends] Number of Muslim Visitors to Japan Reaches Record High - 600 Companies Gather at Tokyo Big Sight EXPO, Accelerating Halal Food Initiatives

The 2nd Inbound Food Business EXPO opened at the Tokyo Big Sight South Exhibition Hall from August 4th to 6th, 2026. Approximately 600 companies exhibited, with an estimated 45,000 visitors. Halal food and Halal certification services were formally listed as exhibition categories, making this an exhibition where "catering to inbound Muslim tourists" was clearly positioned as a major theme for the food service industry.

This article explains the significance of this industry event, the rapidly expanding inbound Muslim market behind it, and the role of HALAL ICHIBA.

📌 What you'll learn in this article

• The scale of the 2nd Inbound Food Business EXPO and the background for Halal compliance becoming a major theme.
• Latest statistics on inbound Muslim tourist numbers (growth rates for Malaysia and Indonesia).
• Reasons for Japan's rapid rise in the GMTI 2026 "Muslim-friendly" ranking.
• Practical measures for restaurants and hotels to cater to the Muslim travel market, projected to reach 33 trillion yen by 2030.

Key Takeaways from the EXPO - What was announced?

Background - Inbound Muslim Tourists Reaching Record Highs

The reason Halal compliance was made a major theme at this EXPO is the rapid expansion of inbound Muslim tourist numbers. Statistics from JNTO (Japan National Tourism Organization) show:

2025 Annual Results
・Indonesia: 640,600 people (+23.8% year-on-year)
・Malaysia: 636,600 people (+25.6% year-on-year)

March 2026 Monthly Results
・Malaysia: 76,600 people (+44.2% year-on-year, highest ever for March)
・Indonesia: 82,800 people (+36.6% year-on-year, highest ever for a single month)

With annual growth exceeding 20% and monthly records consistently being broken, the need for a system to "actually accommodate these guests in restaurants and hotels" has finally become a visible challenge for the entire industry.

Japan's "Muslim-Friendly" Leap - Up to 7th in GMTI 2026

In the GMTI (Global Muslim Travel Index) 2026, an international indicator announced by Mastercard, Japan ranked 7th among non-OIC member countries. This is a significant leap from 14th place last year, placing it alongside Germany and Spain.

This improved evaluation is due to the steady progress made in Halal compliance and the establishment of prayer spaces in restaurants, hotels, airports, and tourist facilities. This EXPO serves as an important event to "accelerate these efforts across the industry."

A 33 Trillion Yen Market by 2030 - Why delaying action now is too late

The global Muslim travel market is projected to reach approximately 33 trillion yen by 2030. In an era where about a quarter of the world's population will be Muslim, the expansion of travel demand is a sure trend.

The fact that "inbound Muslim visitors are currently at an all-time high" means two things for restaurants, hotels, and food businesses:

① Businesses that adapt now = positioned for first-mover advantage
Restaurants that start Halal compliance now can ride the wave of this market expansion. Conversely, businesses that still think "it doesn't concern us" risk being in a position where they "aren't chosen because they haven't adapted" in a few years' time.

② High-spending, high-repeat customer segment
Inbound Muslim visitors often travel with family or in groups and have longer stays. They tend to be very grateful for "places where they can eat with peace of mind," making them a customer segment likely to lead to repeat visits and word-of-mouth recommendations.

"Industry-wide Enthusiasm" Revealed in the Series

Looking at previous articles alongside this one, it's clear that the enthusiasm for the Halal market is spreading across the entire industry.

• Part 4: Kao's Expansion in Indonesia (major household product manufacturer)
• Part 5: Saizeriya's World-First Halal Store (major restaurant chain)
• Part 6: This EXPO (an industry-wide exhibition gathering 600 companies)

The Halal market has clearly entered its next stage, moving from individual major corporate initiatives to a phase of industry-wide infrastructure development.

The Role of HALAL ICHIBA - A Gateway to "Ready-to-Use" Halal Ingredients

While exhibitions like the EXPO show the direction of the industry, for individual restaurants and hotels to actually move forward with compliance, there's a practical challenge: "How do we source ready-to-use ingredients and seasonings?"

We at HALAL ICHIBA are precisely addressing this need.

• Halal-certified Japanese seasonings (soy sauce, miso, mirin, etc.)
• Halal-certified meats, cheeses, and frozen foods
• Available in commercial sizes for restaurants and hotels

For restaurants that want to start catering to inbound Muslim guests but "don't know where to begin," we also offer the following set:

HALAL ICHIBA's Initiatives

In addition, we handle a wide range of Halal-certified seasonings, meats, cheeses, teas, frozen foods, and more, including commercial sizes.

Summary

The success of the 2nd Inbound Food Business EXPO symbolizes that Halal compliance is shifting from being a "special initiative" to an "industry-standard infrastructure." The surge in inbound Muslim visitors, Japan's rapid rise in the GMTI 2026 ranking, and the scale of the exhibition with 600 companies—all are signals of this trend. HALAL ICHIBA will continue to serve as a gateway for ingredient supply, supporting restaurants and food businesses from their "first step" to "full-scale operation" in this evolving landscape.

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