The Kitakyushu City Board of Education has denied widespread social media posts claiming it decided to provide Muslim-only school lunches. Between September 19 and 24, the city received more than 1,000 complaints by phone and email, prompting officials to hold a press conference on the 24th. Education Director Kiyoji Ota stated clearly that no such decision was ever made.
The false posts appear connected to a 2023 petition submitted by a Muslim woman requesting pork-free lunches for Muslim children. That petition was not adopted and was officially scrapped in February 2025. Around the same time, the city introduced special school meals that excluded 28 common allergens—including pork—to ensure children with food allergies could eat alongside their classmates. Officials suspect this initiative was misinterpreted and fueled the recent misinformation.
At the press conference, the board emphasized that while it has not created meals tailored exclusively for Muslim students, it continues to make adjustments so more children, regardless of dietary needs, can share meals with friends. Ota expressed concern over how quickly the false claims spread online, saying the city is now considering how best to prevent similar incidents. Source: NHK
Photo from Photo AC – Photo for image purpose only
Stay informed with the latest Fukuoka & Kyushu news and events in English. Sign up for our free weekly newsletter today and never miss a beat. Opt out anytime, your privacy is our priority. Get the inside scoop with The Now
Summaries based on public content, errors may occur during translation. Images credited independently. Send feedback using this form.