Consumers Union of Japan (CUJ) has been carrying out grassroots movements under the slogan of “For a healthy life into the future”. The deprivation of precious lives is currently happening in many parts of the world. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, military clashes between Israel and the Palestinian Gaza Strip have already resulted in thousands of casualties and extensive damage. Israel has also stated that it will invade the Gaza Strip militarily, which is set to cause even more misery. We urge both sides to immediately reach a ceasefire in order to stop the horrific situation without further loss of life. It is impossible to tolerate any violence that takes…
Japan Resources 191
Please click here for our latest English newsletter (pdf): JR 191 Contents: From the Editors: Victory for Consumers Appeal Against Food Irradiation Cases of Food Hygiene Law Violations in Japan due to Food Irradiation (1996-2023) Commentary: Lack of Public Acceptance for Food Irradiation In the News: Thousands join climate protest in Tokyo calling for ‘100% renewable energy’ From the Editors: Victory for Consumers Consumers Union of Japan and other organizations have for over 50 years fought against food irradiation. This practice went on at one facility in Hokkaido that has finally been closed down. Organic farmers and many others never allowed their produce to be irradiated with the radioactive isotope…
Appeal Against Food Irradiation
31 October 2023 Tokyo, Japan Liaison Committee Against Irradiated Foods National Meeting for Total Abolition of Irradiated Foods Appeal Against Food Irradiation: Global Solidarity in the Campaign to Stop Irradiated Food In Japan, irradiated potatoes were sold since 1974 to prevent germination. Despite being an A-bombed country, Japan was the first in the world to sell irradiated potatoes. This was promoted by those who support nuclear power as “irradiated food has been approved even by Japan.” However, many consumers had concerns about irradiated potatoes and opposed their sale. Apart from preventing germination, the Japanese Atomic Energy Commission conducted experiments to permit irradiated foods for other uses, including insecticidal (rice and…
Press Release: Appeal for Global Solidarity in the Movement Against Food Irradiation
A long consumer campaign in Japan, lasting 50 years, was victorious and led to the abolition of irradiated potatoes. Date: 1 November 2023 From: Liaison Group Against Food Irradiation To: Foreign Press Keywords: Irradiated food in Japan, Abolition of irradiated potatoes, Consumers’ organisations rally against food irradiation Appeal for Global Solidarity in the Movement Against Food Irradiation Request for Media Coverage: Consumers’ groups in Japan declare victory over the 50-year-old Japanese irradiated food potato business closure and sends appeal to foreign countries (31 October 2023, Tokyo, Japan). We, the Liaison Group Against Food Irradiation, have been campaigning against food irradiation for 50 years. In Japan, Shihoro Agricultural Co-operative in Hokkaido…
Irradiated Potatoes Discontinued in Hokkaido
By Hara Eiji, published in the October issue of CUJ’s monthly newsletter, Shouhisha Report Every year in early spring, the Liaison Group Against Irradiated Foods has called on consumers across the country to find irradiated potatoes in supermarket shops, inform the supermarkets concerned of the problems with irradiated food and request that they stop selling them. Many supermarkets have responded to our request to stop selling them. This year, in 2023, information was sought, but the supermarkets that had sold them in previous years did not sell them. When we contacted the Shihoro Agricultural Co-operative in Hokkaido, which produced irradiated potatoes, the answer was that the irradiation project had been…