In recent years, there are an increasing number of people who are feeling sick because of artificial fragrances such as fabric softeners, deodorant sprays and antiperspirants. People feel that it is difficult to get on the train, as people wash their clothes but do not dry them outdoors properly. But some people also react to the strong smell of laundry hanging on verandas in their neighborhoods. There are reports of various symptoms, including nausea, feeling irritated, coughing, eye trouble, sneezing, heart pounding, and headaches. Consumers Union of Japan strongly believes we need to make sure that people are not put in harm’s way by unnecessary artificial fragrance products. We are…
GM Food Awareness Survey Conducted by Japan’s Consumer Affairs Agency
The Consumer Affairs Agency (CAA), in initiating a GM Food Labelling Investigative Committee, has conducted a consumer awareness survey. The web survey was implemented between 12 December 2016 and 4 January 2017. The total number of respondents was 10,648 (5296 males and 5352 females). According to the results of the survey, regarding awareness of recombinant DNA, 69.6% responded that they “knew of or had heard of” it. 61.3% responded that they “knew of or had heard of” safety screening. In response to the question “Are you anxious about GM food?” 40.7% replied “Yes”, 11.4% replied “No”. Excepting those who responded “I don’t care” or “I don’t know”, around 80% of…
Japan Resources – No 167
Please click here CUJ-JR-167 for the latest issue of Consumer Union of Japan’s English newsletter, Japan Resources (PDF). This time we focus on healthy, organic food and farming, while taking a stand against PM Abe and his ruling coalition, that has rammed through controversial legislation, bill after bill, threatening our civil rights. 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: Stop the Abe Train! Organic Rice for School Lunch Update: Bhutan Organic Rice Project Street Events with the “Moms’ Project to Change our Food in Japan!” Event: The International Day for Biological Diversity…
Update: Bhutan Organic Rice Project
The project to explore ways to help farmers in Bhutan switch to organic farming methods is progressing. This is an update by Mitsukuni Inaba (Director of Civil Institute of Organic Rice Cultivation) and Koa Tasaka (Co-chair of CUJ and board member of Asian Rural Institute) from their visit on May 28 – June 4, 2017. Rice farming in paddy fields means weeds may be growing in the water before the rice is transplanted into the soil. Removing the weeds by hand tools, such as a rake, or machines rather than by using chemical herbicides is a requirement for organic rice farming. In Bhutan the prevalent weed is called Shouchum (Pondweed,…
Statement: Reject the Anti-Conspiracy Bill
Statement: Reject the Anti-Conspiracy Bill NPO Consumers Union of Japan May 24, 2017 Consumers Union of Japan was founded in 1969 as an independent organization working for a sound and healthy future. Our activities are guided by the principle that ordinary people have the right to live in peace and safety. This is the reason we are taking a stand against the proposed “anti-conspiracy bill” which was approved in a rushed manner on May 23, 2017 by the House of Representatives plenary session, and sent to the House of Councilors. We oppose this proposed bill that has become increasingly contentious the more it has been deliberated. It is ambiguous…