SEIKATSU CLUB APPROACHES FOOD AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES THROUGH THE CONSUMER'S EYES

JFS Newsletter No.19 (March 2004)

http://www.seikatsuclub.coop/english/index.html

In Japan, there are many Consumers' Co-operative Unions, nicknamed "Seikyo" or "Co-op." Co-operatives originated in England in the midst of the Industrial Revolution. In 1844, workers in the town of Rochdale established the world's first co-operative with funds they accumulated in a year. From those beginnings, co-operatives spread across the country and around the world. The International Co-operative Alliance (ICA), a non-governmental association that unites co-operatives worldwide, now has member organizations in about 100 countries.

Japan's first co-operative was established in 1879. According to the Japanese Consumers' Co-operative Union, as of 2002, there were 571 co-operatives in the country, including regional, business, school, college and medical co-operatives, with about 21.77 million members in total. The members make efforts to better their lives by financing, utilizing and operating the co-operatives on their own.

Collective Purchasing--an Alternative Type of Economic Activity

One of the largest co-operatives, the Seikatsu Club Consumers' Co-operative Union (SCCU) traces its roots back to 1965 when 200 homemakers in the Setagaya Ward of Tokyo started to purchase milk collectively. When groups buy goods in bulk, the costs are lower and, thus, they pay less--this is the idea that drove them to begin collective purchases.

In 1968, the SCCU Tokyo was officially established and soon its activities spread nationwide. As of 2003, there were 258,808 SCCU members in 22 regional consumer co-operatives, from Hokkaido in the north to Aichi Prefecture in the south. Although each consumer co-operative is operating independently, they cooperate with one another to carry out the development, purchasing, management, inspection and distribution of consumer materials (food, general daily goods, clothes, publications) and to operate a mutual assistance fund.

There are three ways to participate in the SCCU's collective purchasing: through "han" (small group) delivery, home delivery, and purchase at a depot (an SCCU shop). The effectiveness of collective purchasing requires trusting relationships among the SCCU members and a spirit of mutual help. The members have learned many things through the collective purchasing system.

The SCCU refers to the products it carries as "consumer goods." Members realized that the goods on the market were not always produced from the user's point of view. Thus, they created a mechanism in which the SCCU members could review the shortcomings of goods through the user's perspective, and participate in the production process of goods with producers who agree with principles of the SCCU and incorporate consumers' values. Products that are good despite imperfect visual appearance, that don't attempt to deceive about the quality of ingredients, that use the minimum amount of food additives, and that are carried through a transparent distribution system--these are considered as true "consumer goods."

Basic Principles: Reject Suspicious Products, Disclose Information

In addition to collective purchasing, the SCCU started a boycott movement against synthetic detergents, a source of water contamination, and genetically modified (GM) foods, whose safety has not been proved. It also started to take measures against the use of endocrine disrupters in packaging materials, as well as to promote reuse and recycling activities.

In 1997, the SCCU decided in principle not to use GM crops and foods for its consumer goods. When it is impossible to exclude GM crops and foods, the SCCU informs consumers about their use. In March 2003, a meeting was held to launch the movement to oppose genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and such activities have continued.

In May 1993, the SCCU started to work on a bottle reuse system called the Green System (the system started in November 1993). Before that time, different bottle designs were used for different products. The SCCU started to use only three types of bottles for 15 kinds of seasonings, and began the reuse system in which used bottles are returned and re-used for new products. This system is operated by the Bottle Reuse Committee consisting of the SCCU, the bottle industry and producers.

In 2000, returnable bottles began to be used for milk as well (in some areas, they were already used for milk in 1997). The recycling of milk bottle plastic caps and "picking" bags (personal bags for pre-ordered items) also started. The SCCU has been and will continue to pursue a Zero Garbage Society.

Activities to Reflect Public Opinion in Politics

In August 2003, the SCCU Tokyo submitted a petition to the Tokyo government to express its opinions about the government's approach to an ordinance concerning food safety (the ordinance is still being discussed). The SCCU Tokyo proposed the establishment of food guidance for children and the introduction of food safety evaluation as precautionary measures.

Through the movements to promote the use of soap and refuse synthetic detergents, the SCCU keenly felt that in order for the citizens' voice to be reflected in government policy, it was necessary to participate in and reform politics. The SCCU started the Network Movement to elect representatives to local governments. Currently, there are Seikatsusha Network ("seikatsusha" means "inhabitant") and Citizen Network organizations throughout the country, with 141 elected representatives in local governments, who are working to realize policies to protect the environment and improve welfare systems.

High Reputation Worldwide

In 1989, the SCCU received the Honorary Award of Sweden's Right Livelihood Award, which is considered to be the "alternative Nobel Prize." This was a result of worldwide recognition of the SCCU's efforts to produce daily essentials that are friendly to both human health and the environment.

In 1995, the SCCU also won the "We the Peoples: 50 Communities Awards," a program to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the United Nations. The SCCU was chosen as one of 50 exemplary communities from around the world, for its success in linking environmental protection and sustainable development.

Food is essential for our lives. On the other hand, in recent years, various problems, such as a decreasing rate of food self-sufficiency and concerns about food safety, have come to the fore in Japan. Environmental issues are directly related to everybody's life. These SCCU's efforts show that the food we buy and the way we buy it can help reduce environmental impacts, and that this purchasing process can have a positive effect in society and in the world.

(Staff writer Kazumi Yagi)