Consumers Union of Japan celebrated its 50th anniversary on June 15, 2019 with a seminar titled: “Dealing with the Threats to our Lives, Connecting with a Healthy Future.” Consumers Union of Japan was founded in 1969. Our many campaigns include fighting against food additives, pesticides and herbicides, as well as synthetic detergents. CUJ is also opposing nuclear power plants. We have been on the front line to fight against genetically modified organisms and GM food since they were first introduced. Recent campaigns include raising awareness about harmful health effects from artificial fragrances and gene editing. At our 50th anniversary seminar in Tokyo, speakers outlined the problems with these issues and…
Japan-South Korea-Taiwan Joint Statement on RNA Interference Potato
On 18 May 2019, Anti-Monsanto Day, Japan, South Korean and Taiwanese citizens’ organizations taking action against GMOs announced a joint statement protesting against a potato developed by J. R. Simplot Company using RNA interference. South Korea is very close to approving this potato and there is a possibility that Taiwan will also approve it. In Japan, the potato is already approved for distribution as human food, but as it has yet to receive approval under the Cartagena laws, it cannot yet be cultivated. There is a possibility that the potato will be imported as fried potatoes or potato chips. Because of this, Consumers Union of Japan and other organizations are…
G20: Ban Microcapsules in Home and Personal Care Products
May 10, 2019 Consumers Union of Japan (CUJ) Japan Endocrine-disruptor Preventive Action (JEPA) Toxic Watch Network Japan Chemical Sensitivity Support Center Association for Voluntary Ban on Fragrance Consumers Union of Japan Kansai group Mr. SEKO Hiroshige, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Mr. HARADA Yoshiaki, Minister of Environment Mr. NEMOTO Takumi, Minister of Health, Labour and Welfare Urgent Proposal To Ban Microcapsules in Home and Personal Care Products We urge the Japanese government to lead the world in regulating microplastics at G20 in Osaka. We are a coalition of six Japanese citizen groups acting against unacceptable fragrance attack called “KOGAI” (香害=scent damage) in Japan. Recently, many of home and personal…
Glyphosate in Bread
A new study shows levels of glyphosate in many types of bread sold in Japan. Glyphosate is the active ingredient in the controversial weed-killer Roundup, and also in other herbicides. It is used in the US and Canada on wheat fields just before the harvest (wheat is not genetically modified). This method is called pre-harvest and farmers are supposed to follow guidelines to avoid excess residue levels in food. The study showed no residue levels in bread made with Japanese wheat, but Japan is only producing 14% of all the wheat consumed in the country. The study was made by Japan Family Farmers Movement (Nouminren) and the results published also…
Please Join Our One Million Signature Petition Campaign: “Regulate All Gene-edited Food!”
Dear Friends and Fellow Anti-GMO Campaigners, Please Join Our One Million Signature Petition Campaign: “Regulate All Gene-edited Food!” In March 2019, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan concluded that no regulation is needed for most of gene-edited food to be sold in Japan. The Ministry of the Environment also announced its decision to require regulation only for limited gene-edited food using created with specific processes. Consequently, some sources expect gene-edited food to be available as early as this summer of 2019 in Japan. We, Consumers Union of Japan, together with concerned grassroots organizations and Co-ops across Japan, have been advocating the strictest possible regulation at a level…