Consumers Union of Japan – Page 57 – Sound and Healthy Future for Our Children

すこやかないのちを未来へ

Sound and Healthy Future for Our Children

Organic Farming in Japan: Lessons for the World

Report from IFOAM Organic World Congress Part 1

I had the opportunity to participate together with organic farmers and activists from Japan during the IFOAM Organic World Congress held in South Korea in September, 2011. It was the first time the global federation of organic associations held such a large meeting in Asia. Here we will briefly summarize some of the main lessons from Japan as they are relevant to consumers, farmers, and everyone around the world.

Japan Organic Agriculture Association (JOAA) was founded in 1971 and has pioneered so-called Teikei systems, meaning close links between a farmer and a group of consumers. It is similar to Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) but Teikei creates stronger connections that also allow the farmers to support the community and the consumers. During the IFOAM conference, Kubota Hiroko, Hayashi Shigenori, and Wakashima Reiko explained Teikei in detail. The workshops were lively with discussion and many questions from the participants from around the world.

(more…)

By fridfrid | 12/10/2011 | Organic Agriculture/Food |

Japan Resources No 153

CUJ JR 153 (pdf) Japan Resources No 153

Japan finds itself in an extraordinary situation, 6 months after the massive 9.0 earthquake and tsunami On March 11, 2011. The nuclear accident at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant, where 4 reactors were damaged, is still not under full control. This issue of Japan Resources deals with the aftermath, after a long hot summer with setsuden, voluntary reductions of electricity consumption, as the nation faces an unprecedented energy crisis. Consumers have gotten the message, but much work remains at all levels. We also want to thank everyone for their kind messages of condolences and support.

Feel free to download the pdf file and print it for your library.

– Editors

Contents:

Stop the TPP Agreement
Earthquake and Tsunami in Tohoku
Urgent Proposal Regarding Emergency Measures for Pregnant Women and Children in the Tohoku Region
Food Contaminated by Radioactive Substances
Action June 11: No Nuclear Power
Pollution Problems in Tohoku Need More Attention
Regarding Food Safety

By fridfrid | 07/09/2011 | Food, Japan Resources, Nuclear |

Regarding Food Safety

Some General Observations from the Consumer Perspective Regarding Food Safety in Japan after the Great East Japan Earthquake and Nuclear Disaster on March 11, 2011

20110711 Regarding Food Safety (PDF version)
July 11, 2011

Martin J. Frid
Consumers Union of Japan

The effects of the extraordinary catastrophe on March 11, 2011 in northeastern Japan are difficult to assess even as four months have passed since the 9.0 earth quake and tsunami. In addition, the ongoing crisis at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant, with radiation leaking from at least four reactors, has led to evacuation of areas in Fukushima prefecture, and restrictions on food grown and produced in certain areas. It is a humanitarian disaster that affects all citizens in the Tohoku region, but specifically its farmers, fishermen and food producers; for consumers, it also poses specific challenges that need to be addressed based on what we know so far.

Testing of food at a public hall in Fukushima city, Japan

This paper will deal with general food safety issues in the wake of the crisis. It is not my aim to discuss the details of the radiation as such, or to go into great detail about the safety standards set by the government or others. We know that measurements of radioactive substances can give some information about the general level of contamination, but making specific statements about the safety of food is much more difficult. On-going official measurements are performed in Japan and the results are continuously published by the Ministry of Health and by the local governments. Also, private groups and non-governmental organizations are performing independent measurement and publishing data and analysis. Moreover, other chemical pollution such as dioxins should be carefully monitored. Based on this, what can be concluded about the general level of safety or risk, looking at it from the perspective of consumers? (more…)

By fridfrid | 13/07/2011 | Chemical pollution, Food, Nuclear |

Pollution Problems In Tohoku Need More Attention

Writers Winnifred Bird and Elizabeth Grossman has written a very interesting article about the pollution issues and potential health effects in Tohoku. They note that damage to the region’s industrial facilities has been extensive:

Oil refineries burst into flames in the days after the disaster, sending black smoke billowing into the air. Sewer and gas lines burst, and old electrical equipment containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) was washed away. Petro- and agrochemical plants, iron foundries, steel works, and automotive, electronics, food processing, paper, plastics, and pharmaceutical plants were among those that suffered damage. As cleanup continues in the disaster area, questions remain about the fate of chemical contaminants released by these damaged industrial facilities and other sources, and the environmental health hazards they might pose to the hundreds of thousands of people living and working in this area.

Read the entire report for more details.

Bird WA, Grossman E, 2011 Chemical Aftermath: Contamination and Cleanup Following the Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami. Environ Health Perspect 119(7). (July 1, 2011)
http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/fetchArticle.action?articleURI=info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.119-a290

By fridfrid | 13/07/2011 | Chemical pollution, Waste |

Action June 11: No Nuclear Power

June 11 marks three months after the Fukushima nuclear disaster triggered by the earthquake and tsunami. The plants are still spewing radioactive materials. No one wants such dirty electricity harmful to human and nature.

Join us on June 11, 2011 with the million-people action throughout the world and let our voices be heard.

Consumers Union of Japan will be at Shiba Park in Tokyo, for the event starting at 13:00PM. The parade will start at 14:30PM.

For more information: Action June 11: No Nuclear Power

Those who have organized anti-nuclear protests in Tokyo and the organizations called e-shift and Fukushima Genpatsu Jiko Kinkyu Kaigi (Fukushima Nuclear Disaster Emergency Congress) are jointly calling citizens of not just Japan but the world for the action against nuclear power on the day of the three-month-anniversary of the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster.

By fridfrid | 08/06/2011 | Nuclear |