Short answer
Many good customs in Japan are close to values that Islam teaches. Islam teaches washing before prayer, God's (﷾) name before food and thanks after it, and care not to waste. It teaches honour for parents and elders, and generous care for guests and neighbours. Many Japanese families keep customs close to these. They rinse their hands at a shrine's water basin, and say itadakimasu ("I humbly receive") before a meal. They feel mottainai ("what a waste") when good things are thrown away. Japan's careful hospitality to guests is called omotenashi. Islam gives every one of these values a single root. Each is part of worshipping the One Creator, who gave the good things and rewards good deeds. So worship, bowing in worship and offerings go to Him alone. The values you already live by point to the One who gave them.
Full explanation
Clean before standing before God (﷾)
Islam teaches that cleanliness belongs to faith itself. The Prophet (ﷺ) said that cleanliness is half of faith (Muslim 223). Before prayer, the Qur'an tells believers to wash the face and the hands and arms to the elbows. They rub the head with water and wash the feet to the ankles. The verse says God (﷾) does this "to make you clean", so that you may be grateful (5:6). This washing is called wudu. Muslims pray five times a day, and they come to each prayer clean. At a shrine, visitors rinse their hands and mouth at a water font, the temizuya, before they go on to pray. The Encyclopedia of Shinto calls it a symbolic purifying of body and mind before a sacred space. Coming clean before one prays is shared ground. In Islam it prepares a person to stand before the One who made him.
Abu Malik al-Ash'ari reports that the Prophet (ﷺ) said that cleanliness (purity) is half of faith, and that praising Allah fills the scale. The hadith goes on to call prayer a light and charity a proof.
“O ye who believe! when ye prepare for prayer, wash your faces, and your hands (and arms) to the elbows; Rub your heads (with water); and (wash) your feet to the ankles. If ye are in a state of ceremonial impurity, bathe your whole body. But if ye are ill, or on a journey, or one of you cometh from offices of nature, or ye have been in contact with women, and ye find no water, then take for yourselves clean sand or earth, and rub therewith your faces and hands, Allah doth not wish to place you in a difficulty, but to make you clean, and to complete his favour to you, that ye may be grateful.”
The Encyclopedia of Shinto describes the temizuya (also read chozuya) as a font near the entrance of a shrine, where visitors rinse their hands and mouth in symbolic purification. It says that rinsing there is a symbolic way of purifying body and mind before entering a sacred space, after which visitors go on to the main shrine.
Thanks before and after a meal
Islam teaches that food is a gift from God (﷾), received with thanks. The Prophet (ﷺ) taught a boy in his care to mention the name of Allah (﷾) before eating (Bukhari 5376). He said that Allah (﷾) is pleased with a servant who eats a meal and praises Him for it (Muslim 2734a). The Qur'an says: eat what Allah (﷾) has provided, lawful and good, and be grateful for His favours (16:114). So a Muslim begins a meal with bismillah, which means in the name of Allah (﷾). He ends it with al-hamdu lillah, which means praise be to Allah (﷾). Many Japanese families say itadakimasu before a meal, roughly "I humbly receive". At the end they say gochiso sama deshita to give thanks for the meal.
Umar ibn Abi Salama reports that, as a boy in the Prophet's (ﷺ) care, his hand roamed around the dish while he ate. The Prophet (ﷺ) told him to mention the name of Allah, to eat with his right hand, and to eat from the part of the dish nearest to him. He says he kept to this from then on.
Anas ibn Malik reports that the Prophet (ﷺ) said that Allah is pleased with a servant who eats a meal and praises Him for it, or drinks a drink and praises Him for it. Muslim places it in the chapter on praising Allah after eating and drinking.
“So eat of the sustenance which Allah has provided for you, lawful and good; and be grateful for the favours of Allah, if it is He Whom ye serve.”
Explains that itadakimasu, roughly "I partake" or "I humbly receive", is said before eating as thanks to those who provide the food and for the food itself, and that it can also be understood as thanks to the living things that become food.
Explains that gochiso sama, or gochiso sama deshita, is said to express gratitude at the end of a meal, at home and also when leaving a restaurant or paying the bill.
Not wasting what we are given
Islam teaches care with everything God (﷾) provides. The Qur'an says: "eat and drink: But waste not by excess, for Allah loveth not the wasters" (7:31). Food is a favour from God (﷾), so using it well is part of thanking Him (16:114). Many Japanese families use the word mottainai, "what a waste". A small study of thirteen Japanese consumers explains that it expresses regret at throwing away something valuable. It guided the people in the study to buy only what they needed, eat the leftovers and plan meals so that nothing was wasted.
“eat and drink: But waste not by excess, for Allah loveth not the wasters.”
“So eat of the sustenance which Allah has provided for you, lawful and good; and be grateful for the favours of Allah, if it is He Whom ye serve.”
A qualitative study of food waste in the everyday life of Japanese consumers, using mobile ethnography. It says mottainai, which can be translated "What a waste", expresses regret at throwing away something valuable, such as food or money, and stresses appreciation of food and its limits. The idea guided the participants to buy only what they needed, eat the leftovers and plan so that nothing went to waste.
Honour for parents and elders
Islam puts kindness to parents next to the worship of God (﷾). The Qur'an says: "Thy Lord hath decreed that ye worship none but Him, and that ye be kind to parents." It forbids even a word of contempt to them in their old age (17:23-24). It tells each person to be grateful to God (﷾) and to his parents, and it recalls the mother's hardship (31:14). A man asked the Prophet (ﷺ) who most deserved his good company. He answered: your mother, three times, and then your father (Bukhari 5971). Japan keeps Respect for the Aged Day each September. The law that sets it says it honours the elderly who have served society for many years. The same law says Children's Day is also a day to thank mothers.
“Thy Lord hath decreed that ye worship none but Him, and that ye be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in thy life, say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honour. And, out of kindness, lower to them the wing of humility, and say: "My Lord! bestow on them thy Mercy even as they cherished me in childhood."”
“And We have enjoined on man (to be good) to his parents: in travail upon travail did his mother bear him, and in years twain was his weaning: (hear the command), "Show gratitude to Me and to thy parents: to Me is (thy final) Goal.”
Abu Huraira reports that a man asked the Prophet (ﷺ) who most deserves his good company. The Prophet said: your mother. The man asked three more times who came next, and the answer was your mother, then your mother, and then your father.
The Act sets the purpose of each national holiday. Respect for the Aged Day (Keiro no Hi), the third Monday of September, is to respect and love the elderly who have served society for many years, and to celebrate their long life. Children's Day (5 May) is to respect children as persons, to seek their happiness, and to thank mothers. Greenery Day (4 May) is to draw close to nature and be thankful for its blessings.
Guests, neighbours and a modest manner
Islam makes care for guests and neighbours part of faith. The Prophet (ﷺ) said that whoever believes in Allah (﷾) and the Last Day must honour his guest and must not harm his neighbour (Bukhari 6018). He said such a person must be generous to his neighbour and to his guest (Bukhari 6019). A man asked him which qualities of Islam are best. He answered: to feed people, and to greet with peace those you know and those you do not (Bukhari 12). He also said that modesty (haya) is a branch of faith (Bukhari 9). In Japan, careful hospitality is called omotenashi. A Japanese journal article describes it as close attention to a guest's needs, a carefully prepared setting, and a modest, unobtrusive manner.
Abu Huraira reports that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day must not harm his neighbour, must honour his guest, and must speak good or keep silent.
Abu Shurayh reports that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day must be generous to his neighbour and generous to his guest.
Abdullah ibn Amr reports that a man asked the Prophet (ﷺ) which qualities of Islam are best. He answered: to feed people, and to greet with peace both those you know and those you do not know.
Abu Hurayra reports that the Prophet (ﷺ) said faith has more than sixty branches, and that modesty is one branch of faith.
Describes omotenashi as the Japanese way of hospitality: not only giving food and a safe place, but traditional ways of caring for guests. Its marks include understanding the guest's situation and needs, a carefully prepared setting (shitsurae), unobtrusiveness and modesty, and sensitivity.
Thanks for the gifts of nature
Islam teaches that the heavens and the earth are signs that point to their Maker. The Qur'an says that in their creation, and in the alternation of night and day, there are signs for people of understanding. Such people remember Allah (﷾) and reflect, and they say: "Our Lord! not for naught Hast Thou created (all) this!" (3:190-191). Japan keeps Greenery Day each May. The law that sets it calls it a day to draw close to nature and be thankful for its blessings. Islam teaches that this thanks belongs to the One who made nature. The Qur'an says: "ye have no good thing but is from Allah" (16:53).
“Behold! in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night and day,- there are indeed Signs for men of understanding,- Men who celebrate the praises of Allah, standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides, and contemplate the (wonders of) creation in the heavens and the earth, (With the thought): "Our Lord! not for naught Hast Thou created (all) this! Glory to Thee! Give us salvation from the penalty of the Fire.”
The Act sets the purpose of each national holiday. Respect for the Aged Day (Keiro no Hi), the third Monday of September, is to respect and love the elderly who have served society for many years, and to celebrate their long life. Children's Day (5 May) is to respect children as persons, to seek their happiness, and to thank mothers. Greenery Day (4 May) is to draw close to nature and be thankful for its blessings.
“And ye have no good thing but is from Allah: and moreover, when ye are touched by distress, unto Him ye cry with groans;”
Where Islam differs: one root for every value
A Muslim should never mock a shrine, a household shrine or a family festival (6:108). Islam differs at the root of these values, and so in worship. In Islam every one of them is part of worshipping the One Creator. The Qur'an promises a good life and a reward to whoever does good with faith, man or woman (16:97). For the same reason, worship belongs to God (﷾) alone. The Qur'an says that the places of worship are for Allah (﷾), so invoke no one along with Him (72:18). It names the sun and the moon among His signs, and says: prostrate to Allah (﷾), who created them (41:37). So bows of worship and offerings go to Him and to no one else (6:162-163). A Muslim keeps the good manners, and gives the thanks and the worship to God (﷾).
“Revile not ye those whom they call upon besides Allah, lest they out of spite revile Allah in their ignorance. Thus have We made alluring to each people its own doings. In the end will they return to their Lord, and We shall then tell them the truth of all that they did.”
“Whoever works righteousness, man or woman, and has Faith, verily, to him will We give a new Life, a life that is good and pure and We will bestow on such their reward according to the best of their actions.”
“"And the places of worship are for Allah (alone): So invoke not any one along with Allah;”
“Among His Signs are the Night and the Day, and the Sun and the Moon. Do not prostrate to the sun and the moon, but prostrate to Allah, Who created them, if it is Him ye wish to serve.”
“Say: "Truly, my prayer and my service of sacrifice, my life and my death, are (all) for Allah, the Cherisher of the Worlds: No partner hath He: this am I commanded, and I am the first of those who bow to His will.”
An invitation
If you already live by these values, ask where they come from. Islam's answer is that they come from the One who made you and gave you every good thing. Islam is not only a set of manners. It is a complete way of life (deen): belief in one Creator, prayer, food, family and character together. The Qur'an asks its readers to reflect on it and see that it has no contradictions (4:82). Muhammad (ﷺ) was sent to all people (7:158). The page "Is there one Creator behind the kami?" asks who made heaven and earth. The page "I'm Japanese and not religious: why consider Islam?" shows how Islam fits a life like yours.
“Whoever works righteousness, man or woman, and has Faith, verily, to him will We give a new Life, a life that is good and pure and We will bestow on such their reward according to the best of their actions.”
“Do they not consider the Qur'an (with care)? Had it been from other Than Allah, they would surely have found therein Much discrepancy.”
“Say: "O men! I am sent unto you all, as the Messenger of Allah, to Whom belongeth the dominion of the heavens and the earth: there is no god but He: it is He That giveth both life and death. So believe in Allah and His Messenger, the Unlettered Prophet, who believeth in Allah and His words: follow him that (so) ye may be guided."”
Five replies answered
Act on National Holidays (Law No. 178 of 1948), Article 2 — the purposes of the holidays
The Act sets the purpose of each national holiday. Respect for the Aged Day (Keiro no Hi), the third Monday of September, is to respect and love the elderly who have served society for many years, and to celebrate their long life. Children's Day (5 May) is to respect children as persons, to seek their happiness, and to thank mothers. Greenery Day (4 May) is to draw close to nature and be thankful for its blessings.
Cited for
Japanese culture already has these values. We honour the aged, thank our mothers and dislike waste, so we do not need Islam.
The response
These are good values, and Islam does not ask you to give them up. Your own customs give thanks: before a meal, after it, and for the blessings of nature. Thanks is always given to someone. Islam asks who gave the food, the earth and the parents we honour. The Qur'an answers that every good thing we have is from Allah (﷾), who made the heavens and the earth. It promises a good life and a reward to whoever does good with faith. The page "Is there one Creator behind the kami?" gives the reasons.
Where it lands — The values are good, and they already give thanks. Islam names the One who gave them and who rewards them.
Qur'an 16:97 — Surat al-Nahl (The Bee), verse 97
“Whoever works righteousness, man or woman, and has Faith, verily, to him will We give a new Life, a life that is good and pure and We will bestow on such their reward according to the best of their actions.”
Cited for
My grandmother was kind all her life and honoured her parents, but she died without faith in your God. Does her goodness count for nothing?
The response
We declare no one's fate; that belongs to God (﷾) alone. The Qur'an says God (﷾) sends no wrath "until We had sent a messenger" (17:15). He is "never unjust in the least degree" (4:40). A Muslim does not ask God's (﷾) forgiveness for those who died outside Islam (9:113). The verse gives its condition: "after it is clear to them that they are companions of the Fire". That is a rule for his own prayers. It is not a verdict on your grandmother. What Islam promises is a lasting reward for good done with faith in the One who gave it (16:97). That is why this page invites you to know Him.
Where it lands — Each person's fate belongs to a God who wrongs no one. Islam offers the good its Giver and its promised reward.
Qur'an 2:256 — Surat al-Baqara (The Cow), verse 256
“Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And Allah heareth and knoweth all things.”
Cited for
Are you trying to convert me? This page is just a way to recruit.
The response
No. This page makes you aware of Islam, as a friendly talk and not a debate. It invites you to look, openly, and no one can make anyone believe. The Qur'an tells even the Prophet (ﷺ) that he cannot guide everyone he loves, but God (﷾) guides whom He wills. It also says, "Let there be no compulsion in religion", so the choice is yours. If your answer is no, the Qur'an's words are: "To you be your Way, and to me mine." The friendship stays either way.
Where it lands — The page makes Islam known. Guidance is God's (﷾), and the choice is the reader's.
Itadakimasu (Nippon.com)
Explains that itadakimasu, roughly "I partake" or "I humbly receive", is said before eating as thanks to those who provide the food and for the food itself, and that it can also be understood as thanks to the living things that become food.
Cited for
Itadakimasu and mottainai are manners and habits, not belief. They have nothing to do with God.
The response
Many people say them as good manners, and good manners matter. Islam teaches that thanks for food is owed first to the One who gave it. The Prophet (ﷺ) said that Allah (﷾) is pleased with the one who praises Him after a meal. The Qur'an tells believers to eat what is lawful and good, and to be grateful for His favours.
Where it lands — The manners stay. Islam teaches that the thanks go to the Giver.
Encyclopedia of Shinto: Temizuya; Paying Respects at a Shinto Shrine
The Encyclopedia of Shinto describes the temizuya (also read chozuya) as a font near the entrance of a shrine, where visitors rinse their hands and mouth in symbolic purification. It says that rinsing there is a symbolic way of purifying body and mind before entering a sacred space, after which visitors go on to the main shrine.
Cited for
Rinsing at the shrine font is just the same as wudu.
The response
Both are washing, and cleanliness is good. But they are not the same rite. The Encyclopedia of Shinto calls the shrine rinse a symbolic purifying before a sacred space. Wudu is God's (﷾) command before prayer to Him, and Muslims pray five times a day. The Prophet (ﷺ) said that cleanliness is half of faith.
Where it lands — Washing is a shared value. In Islam it prepares a person for prayer to the One God (﷾).
Perspectives
A Japanese reader's replies
A reader who keeps Japanese customs may say these values need no religion. Or he may ask whether a kind grandmother's goodness counts for nothing. He may say a page like this only wants to win converts, or that the customs are simply good manners.
Japanese culture already has these values, so it does not need Islam.
Rebuttal
Islam does not ask anyone to drop good values. But itadakimasu, gochiso sama deshita and Greenery Day all give thanks, and thanks is given to someone. Islam names the One who gave every good thing (16:53). It promises a good life and a reward to whoever does good with faith (16:97).
My grandmother was kind all her life and honoured her parents, but she died without faith in your God. Does her goodness count for nothing?
Rebuttal
We declare no one's fate; that belongs to God (﷾) alone. He punishes no one until a messenger has come to warn them (17:15), and He wrongs no one (4:40). A Muslim does not ask God's (﷾) forgiveness for those who died outside Islam (9:113). That rule is for his own prayers, not a verdict on anyone. Islam's promised reward is for good done with faith (16:97), so the page invites you to know the Giver.
A page like this is just a way to recruit people.
Rebuttal
No. It makes you aware of Islam, as a friendly talk and not a debate. God (﷾) guides whom He wills (28:56), and there is no compulsion in religion (2:256). If your answer is no, the Qur'an says: "To you be your Way, and to me mine" (109:6). The friendship stays either way.
Itadakimasu and mottainai are manners and habits. They have nothing to do with God.
Rebuttal
Good manners are good, and Islam keeps them. Islam also teaches that thanks for food is owed to the One who gave it. He is pleased with the one who praises Him for a meal (Muslim 2734a).
Rinsing at the shrine font and wudu are the same thing.
Rebuttal
Both are washing, and cleanliness is good. Wudu is God's (﷾) command before prayer to Him (5:6), and Muslims pray five times a day. This page names a shared value, not a shared rite.
Shinto: purity and gratitude are already ours
Many Japanese keep Shinto ways without calling them a religion. They wash before meeting the kami, the spirits. They give thanks for blessings, and respect nature. They feel these values need nothing added.
Purification before the kami and thanks for blessings are already Japanese ways, so nothing needs adding.
Rebuttal
Islam shares these: the Muslim washes before prayer and thanks God (﷾) for every meal. It adds the one thing the values point to, the One who gives the blessings. The Qur'an says: do not bow to the sun and the moon, but to Allah (﷾), who created them.
Buddhist: avoid evil, do good, purify the mind
Most Japanese funerals are Buddhist. And many Japanese live by the Buddha's short summary of his teaching: do no evil, do good, make the mind pure.
Do no evil, take up the good, and make your mind pure: this is the teaching of the Buddhas.
Rebuttal
Islam teaches the same three things. The Qur'an says that whoever makes his soul pure succeeds, and it commands justice and doing good. What it adds is the One who shaped the soul, and to whom the pure soul returns.
The Islamic perspective
Islam teaches cleanliness, thanks for food, care not to waste, honour for parents and elders, and care for guests and neighbours. Many Japanese families keep customs close to these values. Islam roots every one of them in worship of the One Creator, who rewards them, and gives worship to Him alone. It invites the reader to know Him as a complete way of life.
Islam teaches that cleanliness is half of faith, and commands washing before prayer to make believers clean.
Islam teaches that a meal begins with God's (﷾) name and ends with His praise. And it teaches care not to waste what He provides.
Islam puts kindness to parents next to the worship of God (﷾), and puts the mother first.
Islam makes honour to guests, generosity to neighbours, greeting with peace and modesty part of faith.
Many Japanese families keep customs close to these values. There is the washing basin at the shrine. There is itadakimasu (I humbly receive) before a meal, and gochiso sama deshita (thank you for the meal) after it. There is mottainai (what a waste), Respect for the Aged Day, and omotenashi, wholehearted care for guests.
In Islam every one of these values is part of worshipping the One Creator, who rewards it. Worship, bows of worship and offerings go to Him alone.
A Muslim does not ask God (﷾) to forgive those who died outside Islam (9:113). But no one is punished before a messenger has reached them (17:15). God (﷾) is never unjust (4:40). And we say of no one where they will end up.
The Qur'an asks to be reflected on, and Muhammad (ﷺ) was sent to all people.