The dawn-to-dusk fasting, which is an exercise in self-restraint, is intended to bring the faithful closer to God. Praying is more important than work, said Matsuyama, 31, who does postdoctoral research on the history of Islamic thought at Tokyo University. The Japan Muslim Association, of which Matsuyama is the director, puts the number of native Japanese Muslims in the country at around 10,000. Each day this week, The Associated Press will focus on a Muslim devotee living in the minority in the Asia-Pacific region, illustrating what the fasting month of Ramadan means to the Muslim community in that country.