Japan Uyghur Association Conducts Various Activities to Raise International Awareness of the Current Situation and Human Rights Issues in East Turkestan

Introduction: A Voice for Justice Against Oppression

The severe human rights violations and religious persecution faced by our Uyghur and other Muslim brothers and sisters in East Turkestan are currently at the center of global attention. In this process, the "Japan Uyghur Association" (JUA), operating in Japan, plays a vital role in making the voice of the people of East Turkestan heard by Japanese society and the international community. By early 2026, the association's activities have become more large-scale and systematic, creating significant impacts in political, economic, and social spheres. This struggle to protect the identity, religion, and freedom of the Uyghurs—who are part of the Islamic Ummah—is not merely a political movement, but an essential part of defending justice and human dignity.

Legislation and Political Advocacy: The Japanese Version of the "Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act"

One of the most recent and significant achievements of the Japan Uyghur Association is its work toward passing specific legislation against Uyghur forced labor in the Japanese Parliament. At a meeting held in Tokyo on February 25, 2026, Mr. Keiji Furuya, Chairman of the "Uyghur Friendship Group" in the Japanese Parliament, announced that they are preparing a bill similar to the U.S. "Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act" (UFLPA) [Source](https://www.hrw.org/news/2026/02/27/japan-should-adopt-regulation-counter-uyghur-forced-labor). This bill aims to ban products linked to forced labor in East Turkestan from entering the Japanese market.

Afumetto Retepu (Ahmet Retep), President of the Japan Uyghur Association, commented on this, warning that Japan must not compromise on human rights values; otherwise, it risks becoming a "loophole" for Chinese companies to escape international sanctions [Source](https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQFokXD_D3_jG-KQrGe1SZ4P9lJr_huRjO2Q9mAdmeRPfjeLG7Y6WhNCa9ztmj5HS5lFCuBXwgU5WH4mnlb9HklJkoCv7R94gxCZK4dYxqWaPnz_sFwQ_S8VlCpqWQCUvPpimaRsiT8WDXLYagQ9vUXW-jEGaxwdU5YH5jpu3bKWA7Ulh0dcbC-KT6W4vTXSm3p3xryjNjVR7hZh59Lafw==). This political action aligns with the Islamic principle of "not being complicit in oppression" and represents an important step against haram income derived from the trade of products made through the forced labor of Muslims.

Corporate Responsibility and Economic Pressure

In May 2025, the Japan Uyghur Association, together with the organization "Human Rights Now," held a press conference in the Japanese Parliament to reveal the names of Japanese companies suspected of being involved in forced labor in East Turkestan. According to the investigation results, more than 80% of the 41 companies surveyed were found to have some level of connection to Uyghur forced labor [Source](https://vertexaisearch.cloud.google.com/grounding-api-redirect/AUZIYQFokXD_D3_jG-KQrGe1SZ4P9lJr_huRjO2Q9mAdmeRPfjeLG7Y6WhNCa9ztmj5HS5lFCuBXwgU5WH4mnlb9HklJkoCv7R94gxCZK4dYxqWaPnz_sFwQ_S8VlCpqWQCUvPpimaRsiT8WDXLYagQ9vUXW-jEGaxwdU5YH5jpu3bKWA7Ulh0dcbC-KT6W4vTXSm3p3xryjNjVR7hZh59Lafw==).

These companies include famous brands in the automotive, solar panel, and clothing sectors. The association called on these companies to sever their ties with the oppression in East Turkestan. These efforts are not just about economic pressure; they serve as a reminder of ethical and religious responsibility within the global supply chain. For Muslims, profiting from the forced labor of a fellow Muslim brother or sister is a grave sin and an act of oppression.

International Awareness and Public Activities

The Japan Uyghur Association is not limited to Tokyo; it is actively conducting activities in other cities across Japan.

1. Activities on Kyushu Island: In June 2025, the association held street campaigns and meetings in cities such as Nagasaki, Kumamoto, and Oita [Source](https://www.uyghurcongress.org/en/weekly-brief-27-june-2025/). Since these regions are close to China, they are considered areas where Chinese influence is strong. By explaining the nature of the Uyghur genocide to the people there, the association demonstrated the link between Japan's security and the freedom of the Uyghurs.
2. Exhibitions in Gifu: In August 2025, photo exhibitions and lecture events were held in Gifu Prefecture [Source](https://uygurnews.com/uyghur-awareness-events-draw-significant-support-in-gifu-japan/). These events showcased the rich culture of East Turkestan alongside images depicting current concentration camps and religious pressure.
3. Tokyo Nakano Event: In November 2025, a campaign held in front of Nakano Station in Tokyo distributed more than 300 information leaflets, drawing public attention to the Uyghur genocide [Source](https://www.uyghurcongress.org/en/weekly-brief-05-december-2025/).

In all these activities, religious persecutions such as the destruction of mosques in East Turkestan, the banning of fasting, and the confiscation of the Holy Quran were specifically highlighted. This played a crucial role in introducing the Japanese people to the fact that Uyghurs are not just an ethnic group, but an Ummah paying a price for their faith.

Political Shift: The Stance of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi

At the end of 2025, there was a significant turning point in Japanese politics. The newly elected Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, is a politician known for her firm stance toward China. In her first meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on October 31, 2025, she openly raised the issue of Uyghur human rights [Source](https://uygurnews.com/japanese-prime-minister-raises-uyghur-human-rights-concerns-in-meeting-with-xi/).

Ms. Takaichi has long been known as a close friend of the Uyghurs, and it is expected that the Japanese government under her leadership will play a more active role in the East Turkestan issue. The World Uyghur Congress and the Japan Uyghur Association welcomed this political change, describing it as a great hope on the path to justice [Source](https://uygurnews.com/august-2025-uygur-news/).

The Responsibility of the Islamic Ummah and Conclusion

The activities of the Japan Uyghur Association remind us that the East Turkestan issue is not just a problem for Uyghurs, but a collective pain for the entire Islamic Ummah. The policies China is implementing in East Turkestan constitute a "cultural genocide" aimed at erasing Islamic identity.

The fact that a small group of Uyghur migrants in a non-Muslim country like Japan can influence the policy of an entire nation demonstrates the power of their faith and will. As Muslims, we must support the work of organizations like the Japan Uyghur Association, offer our prayers, and contribute our part in making this oppression known.

In conclusion, by 2026, the Japan Uyghur Association has elevated the cause of East Turkestan to a new level. Through legislation, corporate monitoring, and raising public awareness, they have opened a significant breach in the wall of oppression. Allah the Almighty commands in the Holy Quran: "And those who have wronged are going to know to what [kind of] return they will be returned" (Surah Ash-Shu'ara, Verse 227). We believe that justice will prevail and that East Turkestan will achieve its freedom.