Islamic Food on the menu at Kyoto University

photo by yellowbird

Kyoto University shows signs of increasing foreign integration and adaptation with the introduction of an Islamic menu to its cafeteria food options. This rare introduction could be seen as a move to attract more foreign students from the region against the backdrop of a competitive international education market. Afterall, a university is essentially a business and will go to great lengths to attract its “customers” (students) and make them happy.  And so it should.

According to JapanToday, the university will “introduce a Halal food corner from Tuesday, avoiding pork and seasonings of pork origin, which Muslims are banned from eating. The new menus include chicken and croquettes made of broad beans”.

This positive move could also not only encourage the growing Muslim population throughout the university and Japan, but also other foreigners hoping to get access to their special food and dietary requirements in local restaurants and cafeterias – such as as vegetarians.

Hopefully this is the start of things to come across the country and this sort of move to accommodate foreigners in Japan is a very positive step forward.