Potential of mosques to serve as evacuation shelters for foreign Muslims during disasters: a case study in Gunma, Japan

Abstract Foreigners tend to be vulnerable disasters due religious and cultural differences. In Japan, Muslim foreign residents, who are minorities, likely face difficulties in terms of food practices evacuation shelters. this study, we propose the use mosques as voluntary shelters for foreigners Japan evaluate their potential function Mosques expected have a large space, including prayer store familiar daily users. We conducted field surveys targeting two Isesaki, Gunma, investigate equipment building environment relation how they could shelters; number evacuees accommodate; amount supply evacuees; willingness administrators Both were found equipped with toilets shower rooms had enough space approximately 60–80 evacuees. They also sufficient kitchen tableware prepare meals about 100 people. Although did not always stock food, quickly receive from nearby stores. Moreover, willing Therefore, it was suggested that serve accommodating feeding many Finally, measures improve discussed. This study lays groundwork future