A Singaporean couple who run Japanese restaurants are hoping to promote "halal Japanese food" worldwide in an effort to target the massive Muslim market.

Roger Tan and his wife, Yvone Lim, recently sealed a 12-year master franchise agreement with a Qatar-based food and beverage company to open several such restaurants in 15 countries in the Middle East and North Africa, including Iraq, Syria and eventually Libya.

The first outlet under the franchise deal is expected to open early next year in Doha.