Citizen Consumers: Cultural Protection and Japan’s Food Movement

Abstract

This Chapter presents a comprehensive overview of the different movements and citizens groups in Japan who have taken up the issues of food safety, food security, and consumer health. The response of these groups to Japan’s trade liberalization which in the past led to the introduction of genetically modified organisms to the Japanese food supply, is discussed along with the reaction of the government to citizens concerns with regard to GMOs. An analysis of Japan’s policy framework on GMOs is presented. Also included are the citizen’s groups response to food safety concerns after the triple disasters and the government’s response, which was heavily criticized by these groups, is also presented.