Consumers Union of Japan – Page 6 – Sound and Healthy Future for Our Children

Irradiated Potatoes Discontinued in Hokkaido

By Hara Eiji, published in the October issue of CUJ’s monthly newsletter, Shouhisha Report

Every year in early spring, the Liaison Group Against Irradiated Foods has called on consumers across the country to find irradiated potatoes in supermarket shops, inform the supermarkets concerned of the problems with irradiated food and request that they stop selling them. Many supermarkets have responded to our request to stop selling them. This year, in 2023, information was sought, but the supermarkets that had sold them in previous years did not sell them. When we contacted the Shihoro Agricultural Co-operative in Hokkaido, which produced irradiated potatoes, the answer was that the irradiation project had been stopped and the facilities were being dismantled. The reason given was that the facilities had become decrepit. It has been 50 years since the Shihoro Agricultural Co-operative started the potato sprouting business, the only irradiation of food permitted under Japan’s Food Sanitation Law, but that has now come to an end.

They say the reason is that the facilities have become old, but if the irradiation project was going well, wouldn’t they have renewed the facilities and built more splendid ones? In recent years, irradiated potato production has continued to decline, to one tenth of its original volume. This is proof of the lack of social acceptance. This can be said to be the result of our opposition movement, which has been appealing to society about the problems of food irradiation.
However, we must not be too optimistic. Radiation sterilisation of raw liver is being studied. Radiation sterilisation of spices is also pending and has not been withdrawn. Irradiated food from abroad, which is not permitted in Japan, continues to be imported and violated.

The liaison group held a lecture on food irradiation in September, reviewed 50 years of campaigning and shared information on future issues. We will hold another meeting on 31 October. We hope that many of you will join us and let’s put an end to food irradiation with the voice of consumers!

By admin | 23/10/2023 | Food |

Anti Nuclear Demonstration in Tokyo, Japan

Consumers Union of Japan participated in the 18 September 2023 rally in Tokyo, protesting against nuclear power, for 100% renewable energy.

Consumers Union of Japan banner at protest in Hibiya, Tokyo

Watashi no Mirai My Future — Protest debate in Hibiya, Tokyo

https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20230919/p2a/00m/0na/009000c

Quote:

TOKYO — As the world witnessed record heat this summer and rain disasters become more frequent, thousands of people joined a climate protest event here on Sept. 18, calling for a society powered 100% by renewable energy with stricter climate policies and no nuclear power.

The gathering, part of the “climate action” protests worldwide, was organized by the youth group Fridays for Future Tokyo and others. The Tokyo version featured a panel discussion and live music performance at Yoyogi Park in Shibuya Ward. The organizers said a total of some 8,000 people participated in the event and protest march from the park to Shibuya Station, with signs that read, “No to fossil fuel” and “Passing Earth to the next generations.”

By admin | 18/09/2023 | Uncategorized |

Japan Resources – 190

Please click here for our latest English newsletter (pdf): JR 190

https://www.nishoren.org/en/wp-content/uploads/JR-190.pdf

JR-190-5 Download

Contents:

From the Editors: There Are Always Alternatives

Urgent Statement:
Protest Against TEPCO’s Discharge of Contaminated Water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Ocean

Future of Food: Public Meeting on Genome-edited Fish in Kyoto

60 Years and More, for Japan’s Nuclear Reactors? No Thanks!

The Fukushima Contaminated Water Release: From the NGO Perspective

From the Editors: There Are Always Alternatives

Consumers Union of Japan has a history as an alternative voice in Japan and the global community. We do what we can to appeal to common sense, based on the principles that consumers and citizens have rights: the right to know being one of the most fundamental.

The right to protest is also emerging as an important one.

However, as the recent debate surrounding the release of contaminated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant shows, TEPCO and the government will do whatever they think is right, regardless of the protests, here and abroad.

We believe there are alternatives, and we will continue speaking up against the mis-management of nuclear power and its supporters.

– Editors

By fridfrid | 29/08/2023 | Biotechnology, Japan Resources, Nuclear |

Protest Against Contaminated Water Release

Urgent Statement
Protest Against TEPCO’s Discharge of Contaminated Water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Ocean

On 24 August 2023, Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) forced the release of contaminated water generated by the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident into The Pacific Ocean. We protest with strong anger against this outrageous action, which violates the written promises made to fishermen’s groups and shows no regard for the opposition and concerns expressed by local communities in Fukushima Prefecture and other regions and groups.
The decision to discharge the water into the ocean was made without any consideration of the various alternatives that were proposed in response to the Government’s policy decision in April 2021, and shows the administration’s complete lack of respect for the opinions of citizens and parties concerned.
Although the contaminated water stored in the tanks is supposed to have had all but tritium removed, in reality about 70% of the contaminated water still contains radioactive substances such as cesium, strontium and iodine, which exceed the standard values. If the water is discharged into the ocean in this state, even if it is diluted, there is a risk that it will be taken up by fish, shellfish and algae and become concentrated and appear on our dinner tables, potentially causing damage to our health. In addition, tritium has an extremely large impact when it enters the living organism.
An even bigger problem is the Kishida Government’s shift to a pro-nuclear policy, which includes restarting and building new nuclear power stations, extending the operating periods of old ones, and strengthening support for the nuclear power industry.
Consumers Union of Japan has upheld the slogan “A Sound and Healthy Life for the Future”. The current discharge of contaminated water into the ocean and the promotion of nuclear power are incompatible with the kind of society we seek. We strongly demand that the government and TEPCO immediately stop the oceanic discharge and express our determination to move forward together with many consumers and consumers towards the early realisation of a nuclear power free society.

Photo: 24 August 2023 Protest Outside TEPCO in Tokyo, Japan

Link to Japanese here

The Asahi Newspaper: ‘Open your eyes.’ Hundreds hold protest at TEPCO headquarters

https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14988603

By fridfrid | 25/08/2023 | Chemical pollution, Energy, Environment, Food, Nuclear, Waste |

Public Meeting on Genome-edited Fish in Kyoto

～What will happen to the future of food? ~

Japanese text here

Genome-edited foods are now being distributed in Japan, and in Japan alone, and are starting to appear on our tables. Moreover, two of the three types of genome-edited food distributed in Japan are fish (horse mackerel and tiger puffer fish). Until now, genetically modified fish have never been distributed as food in Japan. Genome-edited foods are as dangerous as, or even more dangerous than, genetically modified foods, yet the government has stated that there is no need to assess whether they are safe to eat or to label them. It is also totally unpredictable what will happen if genome-edited fish escape and enter the ecosystem. Regional Fish, the Kyoto University venture that developed, farms and sells such fish, has made no attempt to respond to our concerns or questions, while downplaying the dangers.

The fish farm is located in Miyazu City, Kyoto Prefecture, where the rich fishing grounds produce a lot of delicious local fish. However, Miyazu City has adopted genome-edited tiger puffer fish as an official “Hometown Tax Return Gift” as part of a program to promote local regions around Japan. Despite local citizens demanding that it be revoked, the city will not listen.

Regional Fish is developing genome-edited fish in collaboration with Food & Life Companies, which owns Sushiro, the revolving sushi restaurant chain. It has established a joint venture with NTT for land-based aquaculture and claims to be planning to establish new land-based aquaculture facilities across the country.

Genome-edited fish are now gradually making their way into our daily lives. But there is no labelling. We, the consumers, have no choice. Consumers Union of Japan is calling on Regional Fish to stop the development and cultivation of genome-edited fish, and on Miyazu City to withdraw them from its official tax return program. Furthermore, we are also working with the fishing industry to stop the onshore cultivation of genome-edited fish. This is why we have organised this meeting in Kyoto, where genome-edited fish are being developed and farmed.

We hope you will join us at this meeting to help protect the future of our food supply!

Date: 23 September 2023 13:00 – 16:00

Venue: Hito Machi Koryukan Kyoto, Kyoto Main Conference Room

Address: 83-1, Umeminato-cho, Kaminoguchi-agaru, Nishi-Kiyamachi-Dori, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto

Participation fee: 500 yen

Capacity: 300 at the venue, 500 online

Application deadline: Tuesday 19 September

(Note: The meeting will be held in Japanese only)

Program

12:30 Doors open

13:00-13:05 Opening remarks

13:05-13:50 Part 1: Keynote speech “How will genome-edited foods change the future of food” by Setsuko Yasuda

13:50-14:25 Part 2: Talk session “What is the problem with genome-edited fish?” by Keisuke Amagasa and Masahigashi Kawada

14:25-14:35 Break

14:35-15:10 Part 3: Panel discussion “Genome-edited tiger puffer fish as a tax return gift for promoting hometowns”

15:10-15:40 Questions and answers

15:40-15:55 Appeal by fishermen, appeal on genome-edited tomatoes

15:55-16:00 Rally appeal, closing remarks

By fridfrid | 03/08/2023 | Biodiversity, Biotechnology, Corporate Responsibility, Food |