Businesses Encouraging Purchases of Farm and Marine Produce from Quake-Hit Tohoku

In support of farmers and fishermen in the earthquake-hit Tohoku region, two Japanese companies have set up opportunities to help sell their products.

Amid the prolonged crisis at the Fukushima nuclear power plant following the March 11 earthquake, farmers in Fukushima and Ibaraki prefectures - areas near the damaged nuclear plant - have been struggling to sell their vegetables, not only because of the government's restrictions on shipping, but also due to consumer concerns about the safety of the products.

Daichiwo Mamoru Kai has been delivering organic products to member customers. In response to the customers' calls for offering support to the struggling farmers through the purchase of their produce, the company started selling packages of vegetables grown in Fukushima and neighboring north Kanto prefectures on April 4, 2011. A disaster relief fund has also been set up to encourage donations to those affected by the earthquake and tsunami.

An online shopping mall giant Rakuten, Inc. has also launched a dedicated page to introduce local specialties in the Tohoku region. Titled "Revitalize Japan! Support Tohoku Food!", the store offers a variety of farm and fishery products from Tohoku. By encouraging customers to buy these products, Rakuten aims to help rebuild the earthquake and tsunami-ravaged Tohoku region.

Social Entrepreneurship Starting with One Japanese Daikon Radish - Kazuyoshi Fujita, President of "Daichi wo Mamoru Kai"
http://www.japanfs.org/en/mailmagazine/newsletter/pages/030680.html

Posted: 2011/08/01 06:00:15 AM