Organic Products Gaining Popularity in Japan

The BioFach trade show is celebrating its 10th year in Japan. Bringing food, textiles and personal care products from around the world into the Japanese market, BioFach aims to promote organic goods that people will enjoy. [Frank Venjakob, BioFach 2010 Organizer]: "Once a consumer is convinced that he wants to buy organic and he understands organic, he will not change his buying patterns although financial conditions might be different, that was a very interesting point last year, 2009." Although the Japanese organic market is small, consumers are starting to recognize the world of organic. [Tatsuo Yamaguchi, Vice Sales Manager, Marusei Shoji]: "Japanese people are picky about safety and having peace of mind. Japanese really like these types of things." Tatsuo Yamaguchi sells sweet chestnuts, Japanese people's favorite traditional snack. [Tatsuo Yamaguchi, Sales Vice Manager, Marusei Shoji]: "Seven years ago we went to China with JAS organic certifiers and developed a JAS certified factory in China. We then brought in JAS certified Tianjin sweet chestnuts to Japan and started selling them." International sellers at BioFach are here to tap the Japanese market. Organic gummies from PEZ in Austria will soon have a special place in Japanese children's heart, as well as parents. [Duco Delgorge, Mie Project President]: "Here's one full option: organic gummies and they don't have any artificial flavors or colors. It's based on natural and organic fruits, so it's really great for the children. The children love them, and the parents are happy buying it for them." And how about organic food for your pet? Dr. Sergio Canello from Italy makes pet food with meat from organic farming and fish from non-intensive farming: the healthy organic diet for your cat and dog. [Dr. Sergio Canello, SANYpet]: "Our formula is based on sea fish; sea fish is useful for two reasons. One is the high value of the fish, the second is fish is rich in omega 3, the first thing is that the fish is not derived from intensive farming, and you can avoid the problems that are linked to this use." Going back to nature and avoiding agrochemicals and pesticides might seem difficult these days, but people like Frank Venjakob are moving forward to make it possible. [Frank Venjakob, BioFach 2010 Organizer]: "If you go around and talk to the exhibitors, they're extremely proud of what they're doing and it's a very common spirit that is linking for the exhibitors here, so we hope that organic is growing worldwide, because we love the exhibitors and we love the products." The BioFach trade show is coming to the U.S. city of Boston in October. Liliana Yap, NTD, Tokyo.