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Essay

Fair trade spreads to Japan

The growth of fair trade has astounded even the most optimistic. In Europe and North America, fair trade products are ubiquitous. Britain's Fair Trade Foundation, tapping into the enthusiasm that fair trade was creating, set up a system whereby towns, churches, workplaces and cities could become fair trade places or organizations. Criteria included official meetings serving only fair trade products, setting up a fair trade promotion committee and selling fair trade products. Most recently London has been declared the biggest fair trade city in the world.

My own native country, Scotland, is poised on the brink of becoming the world's first fair trade country. Scotland's eight cities are now fair trade and it is working on making 55% of its towns fair trade too. The Scottish Parliament serves fair trade refreshments and is a main supporter of the Scottish Fair Trade Forum.

My adopted country, Japan, is another matter. Awareness of fair trade here is minimal. Fair trade products are usually only found in specialty shops, local co-operatives or online. The market has been recently showing slight signs of growth. Despite Japan lagging behind Europe and North America in terms of quantitative commitment, the dedication among those who are involved in fair trade in Japan is very inspiring. Here is a short summary of some of the groups and what they are doing.

Set up in the early 1990, the Wakachiai Project sells one of the widest range of products certified under the International Fair Trade Mark. It operates as an NPO, with profits funding refugee and sustainable development projects throughout the world. Visit: wakachiai.com

Alter Trade Japan, or ATJ, was launched in response to the sugar crisis on the Philippines' Negros Island in the mid 1980s. They advocate trade working with groups in the Philippines, East Timor, Indonesia and in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Their products are available though co-ops such as Radish Boya and Seikatsu Club, as well as from their bilingual Web site, altertrade.co.jp.

Peopletree, certified by the International Fair Trade Association, or IFAT, sells mainly clothes and crafts via the internet and assorted shopping outlets. Visit their (Japanese) web- site, peopletree.co.jp.

Just Trade is my company, set up to promote and sell fair trade products in English. See my website at just-trade.homeunix.net.

Japan has some of the best fair trade groups in the world. This Christmas and New Year's season, why not give a gift that supports them? By giving fair trade gifts, you not only give to friends and acquaintances, you also give to farmers in Africa, Asia or South America. You help farmers or artisans to chart their own course out of poverty into a relationship of dignity and justice. Can you think of a better gift?

Shukan ST: Dec. 26, 2008

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Essay Fair trade spreads to Japan By Alison Gray The growth of fair trade has astounded even the most optimistic. In Europe and North America, fair trade products are ubiquitous. Britain's Fair Trade Foundation, tapping into the enthusiasm that fair trade was creating, set up a system whereby towns, churches, workplaces and cities could become fair trade places or organizations. Criteria included official meetings serving only fair trade products, setting up a fair trade promotion committee and selling fair trade products. Most recently London has been declared the biggest fair trade city in the world. My own native country, Scotland, is poised on the brink of becoming the world's first fair trade country. Scotland's eight cities are now fair trade and it is working on making 55% of its towns fair trade too. The Scottish Parliament serves fair trade refreshments and is a main supporter of the Scottish Fair Trade Forum. My adopted country, Japan, is another matter. Awareness of fair trade here is minimal. Fair trade products are usually only found in specialty shops, local co-operatives or online. The market has been recently showing slight signs of growth. Despite Japan lagging behind Europe and North America in terms of quantitative commitment, the dedication among those who are involved in fair trade in Japan is very inspiring. Here is a short summary of some of the groups and what they are doing. Set up in the early 1990, the Wakachiai Project sells one of the widest range of products certified under the International Fair Trade Mark. It operates as an NPO, with profits funding refugee and sustainable development projects throughout the world. Visit: wakachiai.com Alter Trade Japan, or ATJ, was launched in response to the sugar crisis on the Philippines' Negros Island in the mid 1980s. They advocate trade working with groups in the Philippines, East Timor, Indonesia and in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Their products are available though co-ops such as Radish Boya and Seikatsu Club, as well as from their bilingual Web site, altertrade.co.jp. Peopletree, certified by the International Fair Trade Association, or IFAT, sells mainly clothes and crafts via the internet and assorted shopping outlets. Visit their (Japanese) web- site, peopletree.co.jp. Just Trade is my company, set up to promote and sell fair trade products in English. See my website at just-trade.homeunix.net. Japan has some of the best fair trade groups in the world. This Christmas and New Year's season, why not give a gift that supports them? By giving fair trade gifts, you not only give to friends and acquaintances, you also give to farmers in Africa, Asia or South America. You help farmers or artisans to chart their own course out of poverty into a relationship of dignity and justice. Can you think of a better gift? Shukan ST: Dec. 26, 2008 (C) All rights reserved