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for growth gets worse Jian Han Environment Ｔ drops quality

Product Ｎ Coordinator for International Relations,

（ Cooperation through Fair Trade Ｏ What is Fair Trade? Committee, Atsushi Okada,Kosuke Sato Feature International いただきます NIA Information -Niigata Fair Trade Promotion Fair Trade in Niigata Interview 「 Ｃ ■ ■ ● ■ ■ ● and skills Gain income stable Ensure production Goods Printed by the Niigata International Association traded at fair price Fair Trade Economic Independence Collaborate with other groups. They network through the ： Improved for growth environment quality

product

Improved

July,2014 VOL.1 Let’s look at worldwide trends for fair trade. The country that buys the most fair trade goods is the UK, followed by Germany and then France. This shows that the idea has already widely spread in Europe. When looking at the numbers from Asia, it’s clear that it isn’t as spread in Europe, but in the past few years sales have risen dramatically , Korea, and Hong Kong. Also African countries like South Africa, which used to be seen as a producer, have also an increase in sales.

USA

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Atsushi Okada, Kosuke Sato, Co-leader, Niigata Fair Trade Promotion Committee Switzerland

Sweden

Spain

Korea

? South Africa e

d Netherlands Worldwide Fair Trade Sales in 2012 a

r Japan T

Italy

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International Cooperation through Fair Trade

i Hong Kong a (From the Fairtrade International Annual Report) Letter F Germany

The International Fairtrade Mark signifies that the product has met standards for fair trade set by

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€0 What is Fair Trade? Fair is W What When you hear “International Cooperation,” what comes to mind? International Fairtrade Mark There is a wide variety of products that fall under fair trade. Among them , the most traded coffee and tea, which accounts Fair trade sets various standards for trading goods, and ensures that Fair trade sets various standards for trading goods, and ensures that The concept of fair trade is also applied to within Japan. In order Feature €500 Thank you to all the readers who supported “Shall We Port?” Starting from this issue, we have changed name “NIA Letter.”

€2,000 €1,500 €1,000 With fund collecting, donating, and volunteering, international cooperation takes many forms, among those “Fair Trade” has recently garnered a lot of attention. It is way to enjoy international exchange by using the things we normally buy that makes us and people making goods happy! Why don’t you try out fair trade, and help make the world a happier place? Euro Million you. We hope you will continue to support us. to be able share information that makes you feel closer international exchange and cooperation, almost like a letter from People living in the Northern hemisphere depend on importing many products that can only be grown in the southern region with a warm climate, such as coffee and black tea. However, among the people who make these products, there are many who live in extreme poverty. Fair trade is when we re-evaluate our way of to ensure these people a fair salary for the work they’ve done. to ensure that we can all get safe food, and both the consumer the producer can have a prosperous life, we need to conduct trade fairly. everyone involved from the producer to consumer gets enough wages to live. Furthermore, the aim is have trade with environmentally friendly products. Types of Fair Trade Products for 60 to 70 percent of all products. There are a wide variety other products, including foodstuffs such as chocolate and d Fair Trade Around the World fruit, commodities such as clothes, fashion accessories, and bags, craftwork, sports accessories like soccer balls. Niigata Fair Trade Promotion Committee Founded April 1, 2013 to promote fair trade in Niigata. Their missions are 1: Promote Niigata, 2: Make a network fair trade in Niigata, 3: Make a network with people involved outside 4 internet, educate at schools about fair trade, and host events with other trade groups.

no fee ） floor nd 2

） ） , 2014 floor th in order of application nd （ 025-249-8122 Open weekends Toki Messe ： ※ （ FAX beef, try looking in your local grocery

, 2014 Toki Messe 2 th （ wagyu Until 17:00 the last day graders and above their parent th age of your child, and contact info Apply by phone or e-mail. Tell us your names, the 13:30 to 16:30, July 27 10 groups, 20 people 4 ※

025-290-5650 http://www.niigata-ia.or.jp/ ： to August 29 18:00 ：

Time Apply Who Limit th Bandaijima Building ！！ ～

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For families Traditional Bangladeshi embroidery and fair trade workshop countries” in Asia and Africa on television. It can countries” in Asia and Africa on television. It can often seem like it is a world away, but those people have Through the items on display and our workshops, we hope you will start to think about the situation with education, the environment, food, and medicine around the world, and in your own life. You are also part of world. ⓒshaplaneer wagyu th NIA Information wagyu , 2014 ~ March 1

th nd ～ Open to discussion [email protected] , 2014 ~ September 30 （ ： st , 2015 ~ March 6 in Japan, one of them being Murakami, right , 2014 nd ） E-mail wagyu , is known all over the world for it’s rich texture, , is known all over the world for it’s rich texture, , 2014 Open weekends seal. th made in Murakami, , or with a quality rating of 4 5 is allowed to be called Tuesday ※ February 2 wagyu wagyu （

5-1Bandaijima, Chuou-ku, Niigata City 950-0078 TEL wagyu

th 18:00 Looking for Schools to Host an International Understanding Workshop to July 16 ～ st 9:00 Printed by the Niigata International Association Weekends, holidays- September 6 Weekdays-September 1 International Plaza (Toki Messe 2

■

① Pombo In Japan Art Show The Niigata International Association will dispatch university students to elementary, middle, and high schools in the The Niigata International Association will dispatch university students to elementary, middle, and high schools in the Place Dates July 1 Hours These are picture books made by Japanese Picture books connect Colombia and Japan Though the most famous brand abroad is likely Kobe beef, a number of Though the most famous brand abroad is likely Kobe beef, a number of Japanese beef, or system. ～ How to Apply: Download the outline and application form from NIA’s website, then fax or e-mail it to NIA. *Applications only accepted in Japanese. Period:

Length: around 90 minute sessions ② prefecture as international exchange instructors, and they will hold workshops to improve understanding. The participants take a central role, and with the college students facilitating, through the organization and diversity of modern world, experience understand process of solving problems in this workshop. Applicants: Elementary, middle, and high schools in Deadline: August 5 artists based on famous Colombian writer Raphael Pombo’s children’s poems. Come and see the dreamlike, imaginative pieces of art! [Support]Colombian Embassy, Japan Foundation, Tama Art University Museum

floor) Murakami Wagyu. If you’re interested in trying some of Niigata’s amazing stores for the Niigata here in Niigata. In order to be certified as Niigata Wagyu, the beef has meet following four criteria. 1. The meat can be proven to have come from a neutered “Japanese Black” steer or virgin heifer. 2. The cow was fattened in Niigata, and spent most of its life here. 3. The meat is an A or B in yield, and a 3 above for quality. 4. Be able to certify the movement history of beef from birth shipment through livestock individual identification yield on a scale from A to C, and the quality of meat, including things like color, firmness, and texture, on a scale from 1 to 5. places produce high quality Beyond this, only really coalesced in the late 1800s when cattle farming started becoming more commonplace in Japan. In an effort to raise the finest cattle, farmers would give them high quality grain and sake, massage so that they didn’t get stiff on the cramped Japanese farms. Nowadays, impressive marbling, and incredibly high quality. いただきます Japanese Beef ！ ● 「From the colleges Let’s spread fair trade!!」College students working to spread fair trade awareness Niigata is on Fire Promoting Fair Trade!! University of Niigata Prefecture Fair Trade Workshop Team Even though it’s all the same fair trade, there are many ways people get started with it, such as those who want to help in Keiwa College Fair Trade Circle international cooperation, those who like fair trade products, and those who want to expand their business and help society. Through A student from University of Niigata fair trade, people begin to think about the cost and history of products, and the structure of society and the world. In Niigata, people This fair trade circle was created in April, 2014 Prefecture who interned at the Niigata and organizations that got into fair trade through a variety of ways are working to spread the message. International Association is planning a fair based on the idea that through fair trade you can trade event to teach Niigata children about help solve child labor. They started by working fair trade. She and her fellow students will be with fair trade shops in Niigata, and are planning holding a workshop on traditional Bangladeshi embroidery and fair trade at the Niigata to hold fair trade workshops at elementary and Prefecture International Plaza on July 27th, 2014 ●「 What’s important is growing together!」 Organizations promoting long term fair trade by combining support and fun middle schools, and sell snacks made with fair for parents and children! trade goods at their school festival. “We want to teach kids about the lives of Team members people in places with child labor and unfair ） “I think fair trade is the only type of international （NVC working hard to teach trade and get them to understand there are cooperation that anyone can easily do. We hope ） kids about fair trade things we can do to help. Since parents and kids （Cafair Group members to spread fair trade to Niigata, and the world!” can enjoy making the embroidery together, we discussing how best Mr. Kobayashi, Representative hope everyone can participate!” Ms. Sugahara, Café Fair Trade Niigata to spread fair trade in ※Event and application information on pg. 4 Niigata International Volunteer Center Niigata hNV Founded 25 years ago, the NVC has always Cafair is working to expand the idea of fair worked to connect Niigata to world based on trade being used for fun in everyday life, by SupportingSu o tin self-reliances lf li nc byby developingd v lo in products,oducts tradingt din withwiith the needs of the time. They began working with fair trade last year, and are working to holding fair trade beer and wine tasting parties ●「 Niigata-made！Fair Trade Goods！！」 craftsmen, and providing technical assistance create self-reliance at an orphanage they have and working with Latte art, all based on the long supported. There are many products to idea that fair trade should be fun and relaxing, choose from, but they work to ensure that like a tea party. ） customers pick fair trade goods that aren’t just “After learning about fair trade, it changed fashionable or high quality, but ones that have Fair Trade Shop Sai GLOCAL STYLE a real story behind them, and work to help the how I saw lots of things. I thought about the （ world and themselves grow and become more background of the things I was using and Asia Craft Link prosperous. eating. I want to help support fair trade abroad Brightly colored bags line the store’s interior. “We have a lot of fun with our work. Our As a result of trading with Nepalese craftsman From the “Fair Trade and here in Japan as well.” Mr. Kato, Cafair k ports the Ms. Mikami, head of activities are open to anyone and fun to Asia Craft Link supports the self-reliance in an attempt to get simple, high-quality goods, the NVC office, with fair participate in, so feel free to drop by the NVC Chocolate Party” of the Myanmar people by developing fair GLOCAL STYLE has been able to improve offices anytime!” Ms. Mikami, Head of NVC trade products made by event trade products, providing manufacturing and the lives of their Nepalese partners. GLOCAL children in orphanages Office technical assistance in Myanmar, and selling STYLE will certainly continue to grow alongside the products, all by themselves. the Nepalese craftsmen with various products They make products suited to Japanese and ideas, and they are also working to develop styles by making use of the rich natural activities that help Niigata children learn about resources of Myanmar like wood crafts, textiles, the world. tea, and jade, along with the skilled hands of “ We hope our customers are happy with ● 「By buying what we like, we help with internationalp 」 cooperation!Fair trade shops that help spread fair trade to many people the Myanmar people. our product, and even happier with the fact “Fair Trade is one method of international they could also donate money as a bonus. Mr. Nakanishi with his cooperation. International cooperation still Niigata is one part of the world, so we want to The popular wooden pride, sturdily made enlarge our horizons and support our area!” involves a lot of trial and error, but we hope handbags from Nepal Global world “Narnia” cutlery (chopsticks, fair trade can be seen as a solid method. Mr. Nakanishi, GLOCAL STYLE Rerun spoons, etc.) is also Maybe you’ll see our products once and be sold in Ginza in Tokyo impressed by them.” Mr. Iida, Asia Craft Link

The store has all manner of goods that are The owners of Narnia learned about fair trade in good for people and the environment, including UK, and opened a store in order to spread fair trade of course fair trade goods, organic goods, and in Niigata and Japan. In addition to the store, they products made by people at welfare institutes in also actively participate in events with fair trade Niigata. All of their products are fashionable, and promotion organizations, and create many chances many customers are surprised that the items they for people to learn about fair trade. Jian Han, who comes from Daegu, the third biggest city in Korea, started working as a like were fair trade, providing a good starting point “The role of a fair trade shop is to promote the Coordinator for International Relations in the International Affairs Division, Niigata Prefecture to learn. continuity of fair trade goods. Just by buying items Interview in April, 2014. We spoke to Ms. Han about being a bridge between Korean and Japanese “I hope that all the people of the world can live The store has many you like, you can help provide international support. cultures. happily in peace without worry through fair trade. fair trade products, I think that’s the secret to continuing fair trade.” Ms. from instruments from Fashionable fair trade I will be very happy if people can continue to buy Maruta, Narnia products line the store, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and starting one piece and use fair trade goods.” Ms. Ogawa, Rerun Africa, to olives from ーWhat brought you to eat squid or shellfish in Korea, but after coming to Niigata summer dresses Palestine Japan? I see how good they really are. I began studying As far as surprises, the crows here are enormous! Japanese in middle You don’t really see crows in Korea much, so that was Ra・Napu school, and in college I surprising. Also, convenience stores are great with their Reia majored in Japanese, and toilets and everything, but I was surprised the ATMs aren’t then in Japanese-Korean open 24 hours. Rather than just supporting someone, Ra・ A store involved in fair trade beauty products. Translation in graduate ーThis issue’s theme is “fair trade,” so what is situation with Napu holds a variety of events in many areas Fair trade products are usually foodstuffs or clothes, school. I’ve become able fair trade in Korea? so that people continue to support fair trade by but there are also many beauty products, and fair to speak Japanese fairly well, but working directly with “Fair trade” has also become an topic in Korea recently, eating delicious food and having fun. In addition trade products made from all natural ingredients Japanese people has shown me there’s still much I don’t and many NGOs and citizens groups are expanding their to collecting fair trade products directly from have been getting a lot of attention for being good know about the country. I wanted to learn more, not just social activities. Goods that are imported in huge amounts manufacturers, they also sell items made by the for you. about Japanese language, but about Japanese culture and from Africa like coffee and chocolate are often the target victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake. “In order to make people happy, you must first the country itself, so I applied to be a CIR. of these activities. Now you often see coffee beans “By learning about fair trade, I think you can be happy yourself. I hope you’ll try these beauty ーWhat have you found fun or surprising about living in imported under fair trade laws in supermarkets. improve your quality of life. I hope our customers products, which are good for you, your health, and Niigata? ーDo you have a message for the citizens of Niigata? A unique selection will be able to find even one thing that they like and of fair trade goods the earth.” Ms. Uchiyama, Reia I’ve only just gotten to Niigata, but it strikes me that Annyeonghaseyo! My name is Jian Han, and as a CIR I including products can use in their everyday.” Ms. Wakai, Ra・Napu wherever you go, there are lots of flowers. Everyday on my will work on bringing together Niigata and Korea. Thank purchased straight from the makers themselves way to work I see people tending to their gardens. Also, you for your support! and items sold in the European Union. the squid and scallops here are really good. I didn’t really Fair trade beauty products and body creams