PRESS
【47NEWS】日本でも増えるビーガンを悩ませているものは？
December 3, 2019
Veganism is Increasing Even in Japan- What are Vegans' Worries?
Petitioning the Consumer Affairs Agency to Improve Vegan Labeling (From the World)
(Photo: Ms. Lucas- improving the understanding of veganism (left of photo), and friends - photo by Keiichi Iwashita)
There are people called vegans. It is sometimes translated as "saishoku sugisha," but to say it precisely, "people who do not accept anything that contains animal products." By the way, the word "vegan" is an abbreviation of the English word "vegetarian," deriving from the Latin word "vegetus,"meaning "healthy and vibrant."
The number of vegans increased 6 times in 10 years to 20 million people in America. The number is increasing worldwide, year by year. Despite this, it is hard to say the environment surrounding vegans in Japan is well maintained.
Especially, the vague food labeling in Japan is a cause of headaches for vegans. Someone who's working on asking the government in Japan to improve the labeling issue is Rachael Lucas. Through an interview with her, we'll talk about the current situation of veganism in the world and the actual situation in Japan.
Ms. Lucas is from California and came to Japan in 2004 to study Japanese. She's been in Japan for 15 years and is currently working for a college in Tokyo. Ms. Lucas, who loves Japan and has submerged herself in Japanese culture, has one major problem in her daily life. She's been living as a vegan for a long time, but the level of knowledge about veganism in Japan is low, so it makes living here difficult.
(Photo: A stall that serves dishes for vegans in a commercial complex in Kawaramachi, the downtown area of Kyoto.)
-What kind of people are vegans?
"Veganism originated 75 years ago. The Englishman Donald Watson founded The Vegan Society in the United Kingdom with the goal of living without exploiting animals. The root of veganism is anti-species discrimination (which means discrimination against non-human organisms)."
- Veganism is becoming known in Japan, with more and more restaurants serving vegan food. On the other hand, there is a strong image of an extreme example of vegetarians.
"There are many misconceptions thriving. People think that vegans and vegetarians eat fish, but this is wrong. Neither vegans nor vegetarians eat meat at all. Not just avoiding meat, vegans refrain from all animal exploitation, and also avoid products derived from animals- milk, eggs, honey, etc., any products derived from livestock. Therefore, they do not wear wool clothes."
- It seems very hard to live as a vegan.
"Yes, but for example in the United States the environment surrounding vegans is improving year by year as awareness increases. For example, many restaurants now have provided at least one item in the menu for vegans. Companies producing alternative meats (fake meats), such as Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods, are growing rapidly. Even fast food companies such as McDonald's and Kentucky Fried Chicken are considering introducing a menu that uses alternative meats."
- Isn't such a lifestyle difficult?
"Because we try to eliminate animal-derived products as much as possible, we have to check every single product in detail. Still, it is difficult to live a completely vegan life. For example, inari zushi seems to be a vegan food. Some of the products sold at convenience stores use fish stock, which is not vegan, and some kombu rice balls contain fish stock. There are many things that seem to be vegan food that are of animal origin. It is really hard to completely eliminate animal foods."
- What are the countermeasures against this situation?
"In Japan, there are many vague things like "sono ta (other)" in ingredient lists. I check the websites Is it vegan (Japan)? (https://isitveganjapan.com) which shares information gained from enquiries, and Happy Cow (https://www.happycow.net), which lists vegan restaurants. I'm a volunteer for Is it vegan (Japan)."
- Isn't the current situation in Japan behind?
"In Japan, there are a lot of great substitute meats. Fake "karaage" is excellent. However, this information isn't widely known. In addition, only a small number of restaurants are actually able to make vegan food. What is needed is for people to understand what veganism is and to create an environment where vegans can live."
In order to improve the situation, Ms. Lucas is actively working with the Japan Vegan Labeling and Options Project, an organization that aims to raise awareness of veganism with people interested in this issue.
- What specifically do you need?
"First of all, we need to change the food labeling system. The Japan Vegan Labeling and Options Project submitted a petition to the Consumer Affairs Agency. We proposed to 1. Clarify the labeling of ingredients. 2. Put labels on vegan and vegetarian products. 3. Display marks in places such as restaurant menus. The petition has gathered six thousand signatures in a short period of time."
These efforts are steadily coming to fruition. On November 6th, a bipartisan committee, chaired by the former Secretary General of the Liberal Democratic Party, Mr. Takeo Kawamura, lauched the "Committee for the Promotion of Vegetarian/Vegan Related Systems." The goal is to create a better environment for vegetarians and vegans visiting Japan in preparation for next year's Tokyo Olympics.
Mr. Kawakura also expressed the following sentiment:
"I want to do my best so that the spirit of hospitality can be applied to vegetarians and vegans."
Ms. Lucas said about the future of vegans:
"There are more foreigners living in or visiting Japan than ever before, and the number of vegans is increasing. According to statistics nearly 1.5 million vegetarians and vegans visit Japan in a year. In fact, people say "I want to visit Japan but I am worried about whether or not I can eat." If the Japanese food industry can improve labeling a little, their experience in Japan will be more fulfilling, and I believe it will be a win-win for both foreigners visiting Japan and Japanese society."
(Tokyo-based journalist, Keiichi Iwashita= Kyodo News)
【YAHOO!ニュース】日本でも増えるビーガンを悩ませているものは？ 食品表示が曖昧、消費者庁に嘆願書も【世界から】
December 3, 2019
Veganism is Increasing Even in Japan- What are Vegans' Worries?
Petitioning the Consumer Affairs Agency to Improve Vegan Labeling (From the World)
(Photo: Ms. Lucas- improving the understanding of veganism (left of photo), and friends - photo by Keiichi Iwashita)
There are people called vegans. It is sometimes translated as "saishoku sugisha," but to say it precisely, "people who do not accept anything that contains animal products." By the way, the word "vegan" is an abbreviation of the English word "vegetarian," deriving from the Latin word "vegetus,"meaning "healthy and vibrant."
The number of vegans increased 6 times in 10 years to 20 million people in America. The number is increasing worldwide, year by year. Despite this, it is hard to say the environment surrounding vegans in Japan is well maintained.
Especially, the vague food labeling in Japan is a cause of headaches for vegans. Someone who's working on asking the government in Japan to improve the labeling issue is Rachael Lucas. Through an interview with her, we'll talk about the current situation of veganism in the world and the actual situation in Japan.
Ms. Lucas is from California and came to Japan in 2004 to study Japanese. She's been in Japan for 15 years and is currently working for a college in Tokyo. Ms. Lucas, who loves Japan and has submerged herself in Japanese culture, has one major problem in her daily life. She's been living as a vegan for a long time, but the level of knowledge about veganism in Japan is low, so it makes living here difficult.
(Photo: A stall that serves dishes for vegans in a commercial complex in Kawaramachi, the downtown area of Kyoto.)
-What kind of people are vegans?
"Veganism originated 75 years ago. The Englishman Donald Watson founded The Vegan Society in the United Kingdom with the goal of living without exploiting animals. The root of veganism is anti-species discrimination (which means discrimination against non-human organisms)."
- Veganism is becoming known in Japan, with more and more restaurants serving vegan food. On the other hand, there is a strong image of an extreme example of vegetarians.
"There are many misconceptions thriving. People think that vegans and vegetarians eat fish, but this is wrong. Neither vegans nor vegetarians eat meat at all. Not just avoiding meat, vegans refrain from all animal exploitation, and also avoid products derived from animals- milk, eggs, honey, etc., any products derived from livestock. Therefore, they do not wear wool clothes."
- It seems very hard to live as a vegan.
"Yes, but for example in the United States the environment surrounding vegans is improving year by year as awareness increases. For example, many restaurants now have provided at least one item in the menu for vegans. Companies producing alternative meats (fake meats), such as Beyond Meat and Impossible Foods, are growing rapidly. Even fast food companies such as McDonald's and Kentucky Fried Chicken are considering introducing a menu that uses alternative meats."
Isn't such a lifestyle difficult?
"Because we try to eliminate animal-derived products as much as possible, we have to check every single product in detail. Still, it is difficult to live a completely vegan life. For example, inari zushi seems to be a vegan food. Some of the products sold at convenience stores use fish stock, which is not vegan, and some kombu rice balls contain fish stock. There are many things that seem to be vegan food that are of animal origin. It is really hard to completely eliminate animal foods."
- What are the countermeasures against this situation?
"In Japan, there are many vague things like "sono ta (other)" in ingredient lists. I check the websites Is it vegan (Japan)? (https://isitveganjapan.com) which shares information gained from enquiries, and Happy Cow (https://www.happycow.net), which lists vegan restaurants. I'm a volunteer for Is it vegan (Japan)."
- Isn't the current situation in Japan behind?
"In Japan, there are a lot of great substitute meats. Fake "karaage" is excellent. However, this information isn't widely known. In addition, only a small number of restaurants are actually able to make vegan food. What is needed is for people to understand what veganism is and to create an environment where vegans can live."
In order to improve the situation, Ms. Lucas is actively working with the Japan Vegan Labeling and Options Project, an organization that aims to raise awareness of veganism with people interested in this issue.
- What specifically do you need?
"First of all, we need to change the food labeling system. The Japan Vegan Labeling and Options Project submitted a petition to the Consumer Affairs Agency. We proposed to 1. Clarify the labeling of ingredients. 2. Put labels on vegan and vegetarian products. 3. Display marks in places such as restaurant menus. The petition has gathered six thousand signatures in a short period of time."
These efforts are steadily coming to fruition. On November 6th, a bipartisan committee, chaired by the former Secretary General of the Liberal Democratic Party, Mr. Takeo Kawamura, lauched the "Committee for the Promotion of Vegetarian/Vegan Related Systems." The goal is to create a better environment for vegetarians and vegans visiting Japan in preparation for next year's Tokyo Olympics.
Mr. Kawakura also expressed the following sentiment:
"I want to do my best so that the spirit of hospitality can be applied to vegetarians and vegans."
Ms. Lucas said about the future of vegans:
"There are more foreigners living in or visiting Japan than ever before, and the number of vegans is increasing. According to statistics nearly 1.5 million vegetarians and vegans visit Japan in a year. In fact, people say "I want to visit Japan but I am worried about whether or not I can eat." If the Japanese food industry can improve labeling a little, their experience in Japan will be more fulfilling, and I believe it will be a win-win for both foreigners visiting Japan and Japanese society."
(Tokyo-based journalist, Keiichi Iwashita= Kyodo News)