GMO-Free Zone Movement 20th Anniversary Asia Conference
Conference Declaration
Toward a World Free from Genetically Modified Food
Today, we, citizens from across Asia met and decided to work together in pursuit of a world free from genetically modified food.
Until now, genetically modified food has stalled due to strong public opposition around the world. However, the development of genome-edited foods, which have emerged as an alternative, is now gaining momentum. Leading this trend are Japanese companies and researchers. In the case of crops, high-GABA tomatoes and their processed products have begun appearing on supermarket shelves, albeit on a limited scale. As for fish, thick-fleshed sea bream, fast-growing tiger pufferfish, and flounder are now being sold. This trend has been fueled by the government’s policy of deregulation. There have been no environmental impact assessments or food safety evaluations, and efforts have been made to prevent food labeling. As a result, Japan has become a global leader in genome-edited foods. Furthermore, the Japanese government has revised the GMO labeling system to effectively prohibit “Non-GMO” labeling, thereby preventing consumers from making informed choices.
This deregulation trend is spreading worldwide; even the EU, which has historically imposed strict regulations on genetically modified foods, has announced a policy of not regulating genome-edited foods. Furthermore, development of genome-edited crops is gaining momentum in the United States, while India has begun cultivating genome-edited rice, and China is also actively developing such rice varieties. If this trend continues, there is a possibility that genome-edited foods will enter the global market. The development of genetically modified crops is also gaining momentum, and the likelihood of GM wheat developed in Argentina being cultivated in the United States is increasing.
Across Japan, we have stepped up our efforts from the local and regional levels. In response to genome-edited tomatoes, we urged municipalities to address the issues, successfully stopping the free distribution of seedlings to elementary schools and welfare facilities. We also supported local campaigns that led to the removal of genome-edited fish from the Hometown-Tax program. To further expand these efforts, we have worked with local assemblies to adopt resolutions calling for labeling of genome-edited food, while at the same time enlarging GMO-free zones and advancing initiatives to prevent the production of genetically modified food in our communities.
At this critical moment, it has become essential to protect our food by expanding local initiatives that reject genetically modified crops, animals, and the foods derived from them, and to prevent their breeding, cultivation (including aquaculture), as well as the distribution and consumption across Asia and ultimately throughout the world.
Today, we and our partners across Asia, deliver this message with deep conviction. Together, people in Japan and around the world reject genetically modified food and expand GMO-free zones. By widening the network of GMO-free zones, we will protect local agriculture and food culture. We will safeguard food safety and the environment alongside those working throughout Japan, across Asia, and around the world.
Tokyo, Japan 7 March 2026
Participants of the Conference