{"id":769203,"date":"2022-07-24T06:43:03","date_gmt":"2022-07-24T10:43:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/animalrightswatch.us\/?p=769203"},"modified":"2022-07-24T07:45:46","modified_gmt":"2022-07-24T11:45:46","slug":"the-unspoken-truth-behind-japans-cosmetic-industry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/animalrightswatch.us\/?p=769203","title":{"rendered":"TURN EYE BLIND: The unspoken truth behind Japan\u2019s cosmetic industry"},"content":{"rendered":"\t
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Everyday, animals (generally rabbits, rats, and smaller rodent-type animals) are held in a lab, being injected with potentially harmful substances or forcefully inhaling toxic gasses. They are all treated like life-less objects.<\/p>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\n

TARA SALEM:<\/strong> With Japan having one of the largest markets for cosmetics, thousands of brands are persistently competing for their place in people\u2019s cosmetic bags… But, most people don\u2019t know what goes on behind making these products, and would probably be a little hesitant on their next trip to the drugstore after facing the facts…<\/em><\/p>\n

How do we know that a little shampoo in our eyes won\u2019t harm us? Or that if we accidentally ingest a bit of lipstick we won\u2019t break out in hives? That is where animal testing comes in. Animal testing, also known as doubutsu-jikken in Japanese, is performed to ensure that products (cosmetics, household cleaning supplies, etc.) are safe for consumer use. Most people probably know about animal testing, but what does it really look like? And how does Japan\u2019s society understand this issue?<\/em><\/p>\n

In the European Union, selling products tested on animals is prohibited. In the United States, there are bills lined up to do the same… Attention around this issue is becoming more visually apparent in the West. However, \u201cthe Japanese government fail to recognize and address this matter,\u201d says Japan Anti-Vivisection Association (JAVA) in an interview with Tara Salem. \u201cAnd it\u2019s not only about animal testing, but in any issue, it is really difficult to change laws here \u2013 especially if it isn\u2019t affecting human beings.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Everyday, animals (generally rabbits, rats, and smaller rodent-type animals) are held in a lab, confined to a small cage as they undergo manipulation; often being injected with potentially harmful substances or forcefully inhaling toxic gasses. \u201cThey are all treated like life-less objects,\u201d adds JAVA, \u201cresulting in countless animals losing their lives during these procedures”…<\/em><\/p>\n

Is it that people in Japan actively turn a blind-eye to animal testing? Or are they just not informed about the alternatives? For example, using cultured human cells, computer models, human volunteers, and human-patient simulators are all ways to test ingredients without the use of animals…<\/em><\/p>\n

According to the research, many Japanese consumers believe that animal-testing is the only way to verify safety: 50\u201370% respondents supported animal experiments aimed at \u2018advances in science and medicine,\u2019 \u2018securing of human health and safety,\u2019 and \u2018pursuit of economic interest\u2019 showing that the majority of the Japanese public can accept the necessity of animal experiments.<\/em><\/p>\n

It is in fact \u201cvery recent that the idea of veganism has become a known term in Japan \u2014 both in the context of diet and cosmetic products. Very few Japanese people actually understand the meaning of veganism. Therefore, being vegan or seeking vegan products [in Japan] is rather difficult and takes a lot of effort. Specifically in terms of cosmetic products, consumers don\u2019t have the correct vocabulary to understand whether cosmetic companies undergo animal testing or not, because this issue and idea is not talked about,\u201d says JAVA…<\/em><\/p>\n

The internationally-recognized cruelty-free symbol, represented as a leaping bunny, is often not shown in Japan. \u201cConsumers aren\u2019t really taught to understand what cruelty-free logos are either. In fact, when cruelty-free products come from abroad, Japanese-language labels end up covering the logo so people also don\u2019t have the time to question it\u201d adds JAVA. It is not about neglecting this issue, but rather the lack of education on this matter. If the citizens of Japan are not made familiar with the term \u2018vegan\u2019 then there is no foundation for distinguishing which products are ethically made. Inevitably, Japan\u2019s society will continue to remain blissfully ignorant to this issue…<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cMorally, it is our responsibility as humans to challenge enterprises to segue into ethical product production”… There seems to be a taboo surrounding the subject of animal testing in the Japanese media. As large TV program sponsors are often affiliated with companies that are involved in making these profitable products, they all have commercial objectives. And these sponsors are also the same people that are the movers of the media, so they restrict what can and cannot be said on TV. The freedom of media, especially televised media, is heavily challenged by these corporations as they are all interconnected \u2014 until the big corporations change, the people of Japan can\u2019t change either”. SOURCE…<\/strong><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

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