OKAYAMA(National Times)- A company in Soja, Okayama Prefecture, has developed a compact, easy-to-install prayer room designed to help tourist sites and businesses accommodate Muslim visitors.

The product, called “Prayer Space,” was developed by a staff member of OM Kiki Co., which produces welfare and other equipment. The idea came about after a trip he took in the prefecture with a Muslim friend from Malaysia, during which his friend had a hard time finding a place to pray.

The company started selling the new product in December. The wooden structure has a height of 180 centimeters, and the floor is 150 centimeters squared. Since Muslims are required to pray multiple times during the workday and must ritually cleanse their hands, feet, face and hair with water, the floor has a waterproof, easy-to-clean mat. The qibla marker on the ceiling can be rotated to show the direction of Makkah.

A survey conducted on Muslims who have visited Japan asked, “Do you prioritise whether a place of worship is available at your travel destination?” Of the 107 respondents, 72pc of men and 79pc of women answered “yes.”

“The availability of a prayer space can be a very important factor in choosing a travel destination,” the product’s developer said.

“I hope to increase the number of places where people can pray like they usually do, making it easier for them to travel and creating a more work-friendly environment in local areas, starting with Okayama.”