Hyderabad, June 3 -- Japan has ordered the removal of a mosque in Kawagoe City after it was found to have been built illegally on restricted land without permits, sparking a diplomatic row involving Pakistan's ambassador.

The structure, Japan Jama Masjid Ramzan in the Shimo-Akasaka district, stands on land classified as an "Urbanization Control Area" under Japan's City Planning Act, where building activity is tightly controlled. No application was ever filed, nor was any approval sought before construction began.

Ambassador's attendance causes embarrassment

Despite its unauthorised status, the mosque held an opening ceremony on April 3, attended by Pakistan's Ambassador to Japan, Abdul Hameed. Islamabad later distanced itself from the ...