5 Japanese fair trade products benefitting overseas producers

Fair trade is becoming an instrumental part of Japanese culture. Although this term is relatively new in comparison to other countries, many brands and companies are revamping their own models in order to deliver some of the best products. They do so while also providing a fair share to those producers who have put painstaking love into making their ingredients, products and raw material. Let’s look at some products that can be found around Japan’s cities, towns and within its supermarkets.

Lip Balm from the Wakachiai Project

Wakachiai’s lip cream has everything the skin needs to keep your lips moist and to prevent dryness. Rich in vitamin E, jojoba and argan oil, all which help regulate skin tone and prevent lip cracking and roughening. Furthermore, the ingredients comprises shea butter, a powerful tool in blocking UV rays while protecting lips from strong sunlight. Of course, Wakachiai has gone out of their way to provide the lip cream in beautiful packaging.

 

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This lip cream has proven itself to be instrumental to the lives of many people in different countries from which the product’s ingredients are derived. For example, the shea butter hails from the African country of Morocco. The proceeds for the contribution of shea butter also go toward aiding in the reduction of illiteracy in women, as well as helping them find employment.

Shea butter isn’t the only ingredient that provides sustainable income for those in Morocco too. Oils found in the lip balm, such as almond oil and jojoba oil also help Palestinian farmers. The proceeds also go toward creating a safe environment, as well as providing supplies for education and living.

Sweet sweet honey from Santa Fe

Another shout out to Wakachiai for their delicious honey. This honey hails all the way from Argentina, in the town known as Santa Fe. Although the honey is manufactured in Japan, the raw materials are delivered halfway across the world in order to provide customers with some of the richest, most authenticate honey on the planet.

 

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This is also great news for local farmers in Santa Fe. The small honey farmers in this part of the world have successfully been able to provide honey not only in Japan, but in other countries such as the United States. All of this is done on equal terms and at a fair price. When temperatures drop, tiny crystals might form in the product; however, this is not an issue at all when it comes to the flavor of the product. The honey is grown in the rich agricultural area of Santa Fe, Argentina and imported through fair trade practices.

She HAPPY Soap

She HAPPY Soap is not only a delicate soap, but is also made with an abundance of care and love. This soap is made by women who had left their home for work in Bangladesh. Unfortunately, finding work wasn’t always easy; furthermore, some women even had no choice but to employ themselves as sex workers. Fortunately, these same women have found solace in making soap.

 

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This soap omits use of preservatives, synthetic colorings and surfactants. Moreover, the packaging used is a mixture of recycled cotton and handmade paper. The ingredients of this soap also include Bengel honey, clay and aloe vera.

She HAPPY Soap has been made possible thanks to Shapla Neer, a Japanese NGO based in Tokyo. Since 1972, Shapla Neer has offered to support underprivileged communities in South East Asia.

Fair trade jam from People Tree

People Tree has an assortment of items, such as their very popular chocolate. Of course, it would be selfish to keep their delicious jam a secret. The ingredients for the company’s jam come straight out of Kenya. (A fun fact about the manufacturer is that 80% of its employees are women.) The fruits and herbs are grown and cultivated on the east side of Mount Kenya, which are then processed and transformed into delicious jams. Furthermore, there are a variety of flavors to choose from that include mango, hibiscus, pineapple and guava.

 

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Co Op’s free trade tea

Looking for a tea with an emphatic aroma and great taste? Co Op has you covered. Co Op uses tea grown locally in the valleys of Sri Lanka. Many might not know this, but Sri Lanka grows some of the world’s best tea. Since 2011, Co Op has carried out its initiative to bring fair trade products to its customers. Co Op began their fair trade quest with coffee; after some time, the company began expanding their fair trade initiative to include tea. Co  Op Fair Trade Production Farm Limited Ceylon Tea has also been certified by the Rain Forest Alliance, which has a main goal of protecting the environment.

Fair trade products are booming in Japan, and popularity will continue to rise. The purchase of these products will have a positive impact on the lives of individuals worldwide. Many of these individuals have found work and are being paid a fair price thanks to these fair trade products. Fair trade products can be found not only at your local supermarket, but also online through various websites. Japan is currently at the forefront when it comes to providing such products and will help lead the way to bringing original products from all over the world.