The sun is beginning to shine brightly, and we are looking forward to the arrival of full-blown summer. Summers in Japan are hot and humid. Especially in recent years, the heat island effect can make the days uncomfortable and hard to bear. To get...
Veganism, which abstains not only from meat but also from eggs, dairy products, honey and other animal-derived foods, may seem difficult to practice in Japan. Recently, however, more and more dairy products are becoming available for vegans to...
When we choose products, we are unknowingly weaving the stories of the other side of the world. Climate change, child labor, poverty, deforestation… What can we do? What we want to do is to make purchases that create a positive difference in...
Gender bias is when a person or society unconsciously holds fixed assumptions or prejudices about gender differences and gender roles. In Japan, there is a slang term for women in the sciences called “rikejo.” The very fact that such a...
The number of vegans has increased in recent years. Even in Japan, soy meat has become a trend found in supermarkets. However, it is still difficult to find plant-based products in sweets such as cookies and cakes. Come to think of it, there is a...
Too often, food is thrown away when it could originally have been eaten. Reducing such food waste is one of the major social issues today. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan, approximately 5.70 million tons of...
As environmental problems caused by climate change become more serious, more and more people may be seeking a lifestyle that is kind to themselves, others and the earth. In Japan, the term “permaculture” is gaining ground among those...
Paper has been an intimate part of Japanese life and culture for more than a millennium. Paper made by traditional Japanese methods is called “washi.” Handmade washi paper has a warm texture, as well as resilience and durability that...
“Gender equality,” as stated in the SDGs, is to realize a society where each person is free to make choices regardless of gender. This trend has recently spilled over into the Japanese toy industry by introducing products that challenge gender...
The term “composting” is one that we are hearing more and more about these days. In fact, it is an important element of Japanese wisdom handed down from generation to generation, utilizing the action of microorganisms to ferment and...