ASIATODAY.ID, TOKYO – The Indonesian government launched the first Halal International Trust Organization (HITO) at the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Tokyo, Japan, on Sunday, September 29 2024.
HITO is a community-based halal certification institution under the Indonesian Islamic Community Family (KMII). HITO aims to assist local food entrepreneurs in Japan to have halal policies and implement halal product principles. Currently, HITO halal certification is only intended for the Japanese market and is not export-oriented.
The Minister of Religion of the Republic of Indonesia, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas led the official launch of HITO, accompanied by the Indonesian Ambassador to Japan and the Federation of Micronesia Heri Akhmadi, Head of the Halal Product Guarantee Organizing Agency Muhammad Aqil Irham at the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo. This launch was also attended online by the Executive Director of the National Committee for Sharia Economics and Finance, Sholahudin Al Ayub.
Ambassador Heri Akhmadi said that the launch of HITO also represents strengthening cooperation between Indonesia and Japan to make it easier for companies to enter the halal food market on the one hand and increase the choice of halal food products for Muslim citizens, especially Indonesian citizens, who are in Japan.
“Today, we celebrate the launch of HITO, the first Indonesian Muslim community-based halal certification body in Japan, which was designed specifically for the Japanese market. Japan’s halal market continues to grow with a projected value of more than US$68 million by 2024, growing at an annual growth rate of 6.3%.
“This growth is driven by increasing demand, both from the local Muslim community and the increasing number of Muslim tourists visiting Japan,”
“Currently there are around 180 thousand Indonesians living in Japan and the majority are Muslim. This growing community, apart from contributing to Japan’s cultural diversity, also strengthens the need for the existence of a halal certification institution that understands the requirements for Muslims in Japan,” explained the Ambassador.
Heri. According to Heri, HITO is a halal certification body that not only complies with global halal standards, but also takes into account local conditions and unique Japanese cultural wisdom.
HITO certification was designed specifically for the Japanese market, bridging religious observance, with the values of quality, precision and care, which are uniquely Japanese.
The Indonesian Minister of Religion, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, said that the formation of HITO had strategic meaning.
“HITO certification will be an important part of the halal ecosystem in Japan built by the Indonesian Muslim community in Japan. “It is hoped that the launch of HITO will also expand access to Indonesian halal products, including Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise products, to a wider international market,” he explained.
On the occasion of the launch, halal certificates were handed over to 4 Japanese Overseas Halal Institutions, including the Japan Muslim Association, Japan Halal Association, Japan Professional Muslim Association, and Japan Islamic Trust.
Apart from that, HITO halal certification was handed over to 5 companies in Japan consisting of Nine Stars, Co. Ltd. , Rurupa Japan, Monggo Moro, Maruzen Co. Ltd., and Ani & Ivan. (AT Network)
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