Kitakyushu School Lunch Controversy Sparks Misinformation and Backlash
In 2023, Kitakyushu City in Japan became the center of a heated controversy after misinformation spread on social media claiming the city had implemented special Muslim-friendly school lunches.
The rumor was that the city banned pork in school lunches for about 40,000 children to accommodate 19 Muslim elementary school students by replacing pork dishes like sweet and sour pork with chicken.
This claim triggered over 1,000 complaints and public protests, disrupting municipal operations.
The truth is more nuanced. In June 2023, a petition from an Afghan Muslim woman requested that the city provide school lunches excluding pork and pork derivatives, which are prohibited in Islam, for her child. The petition was reviewed but was never approved by the city council.
By February 2025, the petition was officially scrapped following a council reshuffle.
Separately, the city introduced a special menu called the “Nikoniko Lunch” in 2023, designed for children with food allergies by excluding 28 specific allergens, including soy, dairy, and notably pork.
While this menu incidentally accommodated Muslim dietary restrictions, it was primarily intended to ensure allergen safety for all children.
The city has clarified that no dedicated Muslim lunch program exists.
Social media misinformation twisted these facts, leading to xenophobic backlash with messages such as “Foreigners shouldn’t influence our schools” and “If they don’t like the meals, they should go back to their countries.”
The Kitakyushu Board of Education has repeatedly denied claims of Muslim-specific school lunches and expressed sadness over the division and confusion caused by the false narratives.
This incident highlights the challenges and tensions around religious accommodation in public services, especially in multicultural societies.
It also underscores the power of misinformation to inflame societal fears and disrupt community cohesion.
This article aims to clearly communicate the facts to an international audience concerned about religious and cultural tensions in diverse cities like London and Paris, using accurate information to counteract misinformation widely circulated on social media.
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