Japan Today

Welcome to another episode of Japan This Week, your weekly roundup of trending news stories from the Japan Today website. In this episode, hosts Jeff Richards and Kamasami Kong discuss a range of topics including the accommodation of Muslim visitors in Japanese retail spaces, repeated vandalism at Yasukuni Shrine, Prime Minister Kishida's upcoming international trips before leaving office, a potential acquisition of 7-Eleven by a Canadian company and the unique offerings of Japan's ubiquitous vending machines. National: Shop and pray An increase in Muslim tourists to Japan, exceeding 870,000 in 2023, has prompted Japanese department stores and shopping malls to establish prayer rooms equipped with foot washing facilities and prayer mats. Matsuya Ginza in Tokyo and several Aeon Mall locations have introduced these facilities to cater to visitors from countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, and Turkey. Discussions among Japan Today readers highlight varying opinions on the initiative, debating between accommodat