Halal Food Consumption Among Muslim Immigrants in Tokyo, Seoul and Taipei: A Comparative Analysis of Correlates

This study aims at clarifying the similarities and differences in immigrant integration from the perspective of religiously regulated food consumption in new immigration countries in East Asia.  It analyzes correlates of halal food (which Muslims are allowed to eat) consumption behaviors among male Muslim migrants in Tokyo, Seoul and Taipei Metropolitan Areas, applying logit models to the micro-data from the Survey of Foreign Muslims in Japan (2005-2006), the Survey of Muslims in South Korea (2011) and Explorative Study on the Taiwanese Muslims (2012-2013).  It broadly draws on the analytical framework proposed by Bonne et al. (2007).  The dependent variables include the frequency of visits to halal shops and that of visits to halal restaurants.  

The frequency of visits to halal shops and restaurants tends to be low in Japan and high in South Korea.  The logit analysis for Tokyo shows that white-collar employment, strengthened religiosity and concerns for local customs have positive effects on the visit to halal shops once or more per week and that junior college education and living in owned or company housing have negative effects.  The logit analysis for Seoul shows that the entry in 2005-2006 or 2009-2011, South Asian origin, very strict observance of Islamic rules have positive effects on the visit to halal shops and that other origins and high-school or less education have negative effects.  The logit analysis for Taipei shows that living in owned housing and very strict observance of Islamic rules have positive effects on the visit to halal shops and that other origins, white-collar employment, non-strict observance of Islamic rules and adaptation have negative effects.  The results show more differences than commonalities among the three societies, possibly because of the differences in the composition of Muslim immigrants and in the availability of these facilities.