China has reached a decision point as to whether it should accept, reject, or go slow with the use of genetically modified (GM) technology to produce the food and feed needed to sustain its population growth and economic renaissance. Here, we report a consumer survey on GM food that includes input from all provinces in China. Chinese consumers were surveyed for their awareness, knowledge, and opinion on GM food. The survey resulted in 11.9, 41.4, and 46.7% of respondents having a positive, neutral, or negative view on GM food, respectively. Genetically modified (GM) technology is a highly controversial topic for today’s global food consumer. The commercial development of GM crops…
Biodiversity In The News: Anything Useful from G20 Japan 2019 Niigata, Agriculture Ministers’ Meeting on May 11 to 12, 2019?
At the G7 environment ministers’ meeting in France this weekend, The Guardian reported that there was a call for a biodiversity study that is as influential as the Stern review on the economics of climate change. Yes, there is an “economic case” for understanding the value of biological diversity to mankind, and to the planet. But we expect much more from researchers and experts, from governments and corporations. CUJ is opposed to GMOs and the new genome editing technologies, that ignore and threaten the age-old development of species. We expect a full reversal of the free trade economic agreements that promote globalisation without a thought of its effect at the…
Japan Resources – No 174
Please click here CUJ-JR-174 for the latest issue of Japan Resources, our English newsletter. This year CUJ celebrates its 50th anniversary. We hope you will continue to stay updated with CUJ’s activities and news on our English website, and support our campaigns! Contents: From the Editors: 50th Anniversary of CUJ Request Regarding Smart Meters CUJ Public Comment about Genome Editing Techniques for Food Essay: GM in Europe vs. Japan Open Letter to Australia: Please Regulate New GM Technologies Strictly
Request Regarding Smart Meters
Request Regarding Smart Meters February 19, 2019 To: TEPCO Power Grid Corporation Thank you for endeavoring to maintain the power transmission and distribution network. We are concerned about the reports of fires in defective smart meters made by Toshiba Toko Meter Systems Co., Ltd. Some 90,000 smart meters produced by Toshiba Toko have been installed in your region, and so far, 16 cases of fires have been reported by December 2018. We request that you stop installing smart meters, and that you respond to the consumers who want you to replace their smart meters with analogue ones. Sincerely, Denjiha.org Nomura Osami Consumers Union of Japan Amagasa Keisuke
Youth Strike for Climate Change Movement Reaches Japan
On March 15, 2019 a campaign to demonstrate against the lack of action to stop climate change will hold events around the world. Here in Japan, events are planned at Yoyogi Park, Tokyo (15:00) and at the City Hall in Kyoto (12:00-1300). Again, on March 22 a demonstration will be held outside the Japanese Parliament Building in Tokyo (start 15:00). Bring your own plackard! (Photo from the February 22, 2019 demonstration in Tokyo) Read more here: Youth strike for climate change movement reaches Japan Fridays for Future Japan (Facebook)