Recently, an acquaintance entrusted me with proofreading a manuscript. It was a large work about Hannibal, the Carthaginian warrior who fought against Rome in the Mediterranean world in ancient times. Although I had to read many war stories, I was reminded that human beings have not changed one iota between the societies of B.C. and those of today. In search of food, resources, and wealth, humans tend to wage wars of aggression with cease-fires, make and break alliances, and so on. To win wars, human wisdom is invested and technological innovations are advanced. (Archimedes even invented a new stone thrower.) In wars, casualties are suffered and resources are wasted. Modern…
School “Artificial Turf” Chemical Problem
Open Letter of Inquiry on Artificial Turf Japanese: https://nishoren.net/cuj/?p=180 20 March 2023 Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Office of Education To: Kayoko Hama, Superintendent of Education Consumers Union of Japan (CUJ) Co-Chairperson: Azuchi Kameyama Co-Chairperson Miyoko Sasaki Co-Chairman Martin Frid Open letter of inquiry regarding artificial turf We are a consumer organization working for safe and secure living. We understand that the Tokyo Metropolitan Government is “promoting the turfing of schoolyards and other areas in all public elementary and junior high schools in Tokyo to further enhance the educational environment,” and recently we often see schoolyards with artificial turf instead of natural grass. However, in recent years, plastic pollution has become increasingly…
Japan Resources – 188
Please click here for our latest English newsletter (pdf): JR 188 Contents: From the Editors: Peace of Mind Press Event: Consumers in Japan Oppose Increased Military Spending Blog: Breaking Bread How about it, World, Do We Care about Biological Diversity, or Not? Consumers Union of Japan has Signed the Global Appeal to Stop Gene Drives In the News: Doubling the Defense Budget Won’t be Easy for Japan From the Editors: Peace of Mind Consumers Union of Japan took the initiative to protest against the proposal to increase Japan’s military spending. 28 consumer organisations joined together, wanting to protect ourselves and others from the potential risk that Japan will once again…
Press Event: Consumers in Japan Oppose Increased Military Spending
Joint statement: We, consumers, seek a peaceful society that respects life and livelihood. We oppose the possession of an enemy base attack capability (counterattack capability) and increased military expenditure. On 6 February 2023, consumer organisations from across Japan jointly issued a joint statement opposing the Kishida Government’s proposal for a pre-emptive strike in the name of an enemy base attack and an increase in defence expenditure. The call was made by the Consumers Union of Japan and Shufuren. In response to the call, consumer organisations, co-operatives and other groups from across the country endorsed the statement, which was announced at a press conference held in Tokyo. The fact that national…
Protest Against Japan’s Military Buildup
6 February Press Conference on the Joint Statement of Consumer Organisations: We Protest against Japan’s Military Buildup and Increased Spending on Weapons Date and time: 6 February (Mon), 10:00-11:00 Venue: Plaza F, 3F, Shufuren Conference Room Programme: 10:00 Opening remarks and explanation on participation in Zoom (Moderator, Shufuren) 10:05 Comments on this joint statement from the calling organisations (Consumer Union of Japan and Shufuren) 10:15 Message from Kanagawa Shodanren, supporting organisation 10:20 Introduction of messages from supporting organisations (Koketsu Michiyo, CUJ) 10:25 Question and answer session 10:45 About the future 10:50 End Zoom participation will be limited to the media and other reporters Language: Japanese only