Japan Resources No 150: Special Biodiversity Issue

cuj-jr-150 (pdf) Japan Resources No 150: Special Biodiversity Issue

Biological Diversity & Organic Farming
2010 is the Year of Biological Diversity and here in Japan, we are preparing for the United Nations conference in Nagoya in October, 2010. In this special issue of our English newsletter you will find articles about experts and activists in Japan and from abroad with much to teach us about biodiversity and sustainable farming methods. We also publish a special two part interview about why “old” style vegetables taste better, the importance of healthy seeds, and the concerns associated with F1 hybrids and especially genetically modified organisms.

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

– Editors

Contents:
Biodiversity in Focus: Christine von Weizacker visits Japan
Organic Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery Project Based on Humus: Notes from a Lecture by Uozumi Michio
Interview with Noguchi Isao: The Future of the Seed of Life
Japan Citizens’ Network for Planet Diversity

MOP5 Shimin Network

By fridfrid | 05/03/2010 | Biodiversity, Biotechnology, Food, Japan Resources, Organic Agriculture/Food |

Press Release: Soybean Trust Movement Conference Declaration

12 years of campaigning for more domestic soybeans in Japan

Soybean Field Trust Movement: Nationwide Meeting in Shinjo, Japan

Press Release: Conference Declaration

Today, we have returned to Shinjo City in Yamagata Prefecture 12 years after the Soybean Trust Movement was launched here in this wonderful furusato (rural) environment. The Soybean Trust Movement responded to the appearance of genetically modified soybeans that were imported from the United States. The aim has been to raise awareness among both farmers and consumers regarding how we can jointly raise Japan’s low self-sufficiency rate. Over the past 12 years we have made every effort to make safe soybean foods available to all consumers, who could appreciate the homegrown soybeans without any worries or concerns. In addition, we recognize that the bond between farmers and consumers has been strengthened, showing the way to the future of food in this country.　 (more…)

By fridfrid | 03/03/2010 | Biodiversity, Biotechnology, Food Security |

Japan Resources No 149

cuj-jr-149 (pdf) Japan Resources No 149

The plum blossoms are in full bloom in Waseda, Tokyo this week, and we are enjoying warm weather after the winter chill with snowfall. Here is our English newsletter. We have been busy together with groups in other countries to oppose the introduction of genetically modified wheat, and our survey shows that no Japanese wheat importers are interested in GM wheat. We also take a moment to remember Urano Hisako, who passed away in December 2009.

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

– Editors

Contents:

Press Release: GM Wheat
Survey: Japan’s Wheat Importers Reject GMO
World Social Forum 2010
In Memory Of Urano Hisako
GM Rice And Contamination Cases
New GMO Food Additives

By fridfrid | 24/02/2010 | Japan Resources |

Organic Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery Project Based On Humus

“Only good things will come from the clean water that flows in the stream, when only good things are put into the water…”

Notes from a lecture by Mr. Uozumi Michio, Japan Organic Agriculture Association, on December 9, 2009 as part of Consumers Union of Japan’s seminar series about safe living, connecting food and agriculture with our daily lives.

Uozumi Michio, JOAA

Uozumi-san emphasized that humus is the most important organic material for livings things: “Let us create a movement to promote deep connections and affiliations with strong links between organic farmers, fishermen, forest workers, and consumers!”

Japanese people have had many historical experiences such as Ashio mining pollution, Minamata disease (methyl mercury) and serious health damage since the Meiji era. We should study and understand that the most important thing for the people is to preserve the natural environment of the forest, farm fields, rivers and the sea.

Uozumi-san pointed out that it is emphasized by the nuclear power industry that nuclear reactors do not discharge CO2, but the technology for proper disposal of nuclear waste has still not been developed. Nuclear power plants contribute to global warming by discharging heated water into the environment.

Fulvic acid-Fe can increase phytoplankton and sea weeds by river mouths and along coasts. Fulvic acid-Fe -rich humus can protect the marine ecosystem and enrich fishing grounds.

Chemical fertilizer ingredients (N, P, K) are easily carried away from conventional rice fields, because the soil cannot preserve them. The chemical ingredients are delivered to rivers, ponds, lakes and the sea, and are also accumulating in the groundwater. Said Uozumi-san: “It is necessary to convert to organic agriculture.” (more…)

By fridfrid | 19/02/2010 | Biodiversity, Chemical pollution, Organic Agriculture/Food |

Press Release: GM Wheat rejected by 233 Consumer, Farmer Groups in 26 Countries

Press Release

GM Wheat rejected by 233 Consumer, Farmer Groups in 26 Countries

Embargoed to February 9, 2010

Ottawa, Montreal, Washington, Tokyo, Sydney: 233 consumer and farmer groups in 26 countries have joined the “Definitive Global Rejection of GM Wheat” statement to stop the commercialization of genetically modified (GM) wheat and remind the biotechnology corporation Monsanto that genetically modifying this major crop is not acceptable to farmers or consumers. (1)

The 233 groups signed the rejection statement first launched by 15 Australian, Canadian and U.S. farmer and consumer groups in June 2009.

(more…)

By fridfrid | 10/02/2010 | Biotechnology |