Here is the presentation made by Yasuaki YAMAURA, Secretary General of Consumers Union of Japan (CUJ), as one of the programs at the World Foodless Day in Tokyo on October 16, 2008. The Present Situation of the Food Crisis In April 2008, rice prices started to increase rapidly in the Philippines and several parts of Asia. This induced hoarding and export restrictions of grains, which in turn led to even higher grain prices around the world. There were food riots happening in a number of countries. This also affected Japan, as increasing general food prices hit Japanese consumers hard. In addition, we experienced the problem of frozen gyoza made in…
World Foodless Day in Tokyo
Rising food prices, food contamination, reduced food production induced by climate change — food insecurity is spreading all over the world. Japan is suffering from low food self-sufficiency (barely 40% on calorie basis), a string of food safety scandals and frauds. The occasion of World Food Day on October 16 organised by the FAO is an opportune time to send a strong message of food sovereignty and highlight consumers’ strategies to address the food crisis. How can consumers cope with this crisis? Several NGOs will organise a forum, Another World Food Day, in Tokyo to discuss a wide range of current food problems and solutions. The forum titled “Sky-rocketing food prices…
G8 Action Network Meeting
International Preparation Meeting about the Lake Toyako G8 Summit 8 March, 2008 in Tokyo Kurihara Yasushi from the Executive Office asked everyone to give their views and opinions regarding the G8. The G8 Action Network is an open network composed of individuals and organizations who are questioning the G8 Summit itself. The Network is constructing a framework for exchange of information, designed to support many events and activities against the Summit. Nations joining the G8 account for only 14% of the world’s population. Also, the G8 Summit is an informal meeting that does not comply with the procedures as requested by international laws. However, what is agreed there defines the…
Japan Resources No. 142
Japan Resources No. 142 (pdf) CONTENTS: FTA and the food on our tables Plastic Incineration Rise Draws Ire International Bad Products Award Tasmanian Forests: Report Protest Against GM Moratorium Decision
World Social Forum Arakawa
Consumers Union of Japan will participate together with many other Japanese NGOs, including People’s Plan, Attack and No to WTO/FTA, in the World Social Forum event on January 26, 2008 in Arakawa, Tokyo.