VOL.1July,2

014NIALetter

いただきます　Japanese Beef　Japanese beef, or wagyu , is known all over the world for it’s rich texture, impressive marbling, and incredibly high quality. wagyu has a long history, but 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, and massage them so that they didn’t get stiff on the cramped Japanese farms. Nowadays, wagyu is graded both by the meat yield on a scale from A to C, and on the quality of the meat, including things like color, firmness, and texture, on a scale from 1 to 5. 　Though the most famous brand abroad is likely Kobe beef, a number of places produce high quality wagyu in Japan, one of them being Murakami, right here in Niigata. In order to be certified as Niigata Wagyu, the beef has to meet the 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 or above for quality. 4. Be able to certify the movement history of the beef from birth to shipment through the livestock individual identification 　　system. Beyond this, only wagyu made in Murakami, Sekikawa, or Tainai with a quality rating of 4 or 5 is allowed to be called Murakami Wagyu. If you’re interested in trying some of Niigata’s amazing wagyu beef, try looking in your local grocery stores for the Niigata wagyu seal.

NIA Information

■Printed by the Niigata International Association　Bandaijima Building（Toki Messe） 2nd floor 5-1Bandaijima, Chuou-ku, Niigata City 950-0078 TEL：025-290-5650　FAX：025-249-8122　

E-mail：nia21c@niigata-ia.or.jp　Website：http://www.niigata-ia.or.jp/

Looking for Schools to Host an International Understanding Workshop　The Niigata International Association will dispatch university students to elementary, middle, and high schools in the prefecture as international exchange instructors, and they will hold workshops to improve international understanding. The participants take a central role, and with the college students facilitating, and through the organization and diversity of the modern world, and experience and understand the process of solving problems in this workshop. Applicants: Elementary, middle, and high schools in Niigata PrefectureDeadline: August 5th （Tuesday）, 2014 Period: ① Weekdays-September 1st , 2014 ~ September 30th , 2014 　February 2nd , 2015 ~ March 6th , 2015　　　 ② Weekends, holidays- September 6th , 2014 ~ March 1st , 2015Length: around 90 minute sessions （Open to discussion）How to Apply: Download the outline and application form from NIA’s website, and then fax or e-mail it to NIA. *Applications only accepted in Japanese.

Pombo In Japan Art Show～Picture books connect Colombia and Japan～

　These are picture books made by Japanese artists based on famous Colombian writer Raphael Pombo’s children’s poems. Come and see the dreamlike, imaginative pieces of art!　Dates July 1st to July 16th, 2014　Hours　9:00～18:00　※Open weekends　Place International Plaza (Toki Messe 2nd floor)

[Support]Colombian Embassy, Japan Foundation, Tama Art University Museum

Printed by the Niigata International Association

　Thank you to all the readers who supported “Shall We Port?” Starting from this issue, we have changed the name to “NIA Letter.” We hope to be able to share information that makes you feel closer to international exchange and cooperation, almost like a letter from us to all of you. We hope you will continue to support us.

Feature　When you hear “International Cooperation,” what comes to mind?With fund collecting, donating, and volunteering, international cooperation takes many forms, and among those “Fair Trade” has recently garnered a lot of attention. It is a way to enjoy international exchange by using the things we normally buy that makes us and the people making the goods happy! Why don’t you try out fair trade, and help make the world a happier place?

What is Fair Trade?What is Fair Trade?

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 trade to ensure these people a fair salary for the work they’ve done. 　The concept of fair trade is also applied to trade within Japan. In order to ensure that we can all get safe food, and that both the consumer and the producer can have a prosperous life, we need to conduct trade fairly. 　Fair trade sets various standards for trading goods, and ensures that everyone involved from the producer to the consumer gets enough wages to live. Furthermore, the aim is to have trade with environmentally friendly products.

Types of Fair Trade Products　There is a wide variety of products that fall under fair trade. Among them , the most traded is coffee and tea, which accounts for 60 to 70 percent of all products. There are a wide variety of other products, including foodstuffs such as chocolate and dry fruit, commodities such as clothes, fashion accessories, and bags, craftwork, and sports accessories like soccer balls.

Fair Trade Around the World　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　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 as in Europe, but in the past few years sales have risen dramatically in Japan, Korea, and Hong Kong. Also African countries like South Africa, which used to be seen as a producer, have also seen an increase in sales.

International Cooperation through Fair Trade

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

€2,000

€1,500

€500

€0 Canada

Germany

Switzerland

Hong Kong

Japan

Korea

Denmark

France

Italy

Netherlands

Spain

UK USA

Sweden

South Africa

€1,000

International Fairtrade Mark　The International Fairtrade Mark signifies that the product has met the standards for fair trade set by Fairtrade International, in all steps from production of the materials, to being imported, processing, and manufacturing. If you see this mark, be sure to try the product.

Niigata Fair Trade Promotion Committee　　Founded April 1, 2013 to promote fair trade in Niigata. Their missions are 1: Promote fair trade in Niigata, 2: Make a network with people involved in fair trade in Niigata, 3: Make a network with people involved in fair trade outside Niigata, 4： Collaborate with other groups. They network through the internet, educate at schools about fair trade, and host events with other fair trade groups.

Ｃ Ｏ Ｎ Ｔ Ｅ Ｎ Ｔ Ｓ

■Feature International Cooperation through Fair Trade

●「What is Fair Trade?」　-Niigata Fair Trade Promotion

Committee, Atsushi Okada,Kosuke Sato●Fair Trade in Niigata■ Interview　 Jian Han　

（Coordinator for International Relations, Niigata）

■いただきます Japanese Beef■NIA Information

Worldwide Fair Trade Sales in 2012 (From the Fairtrade International Annual Report)

World Watch　～Our Planet is Connected～　You normally see people from “developing countries” in Asia and Africa on television. It can often seem like it is a world away, but those people have connections to our lives here in Japan. 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 the world. 　Dates July 19th to August 29th, 2014 ※Open weekends　Hours　9:00～18:00　※Until 17:00 the last day　Place　International Plaza （Toki Messe 2nd floor） For families！！Traditional Bangladeshi embroidery and fair trade workshop

Time 　13:30 to 16:30, July 27th, 2014 Who　4th graders and above and their parentLimit　 10 groups, 20 people （in order of application） no feeApply　Apply by phone or e-mail. Tell us your names, the 　　　 age of your child, and your contact infoⓒshaplaneer

Goods traded at fair price

Ensure stable

production

Improved environment for growth

Gain income and skills

Improved product quality

Economic Independence

Goods traded cheaply

Too many items

produced

Environment for growth gets worse

No income or skills

Product quality drops

NoEscapefromPoverty

Fair Trade Unfair Trade

Million Euro

　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 international cooperation, those who like fair trade products, and those who want to expand their business and help society. Through fair trade, people begin to think about the cost and history of products, and the structure of society and the world. In Niigata, people and organizations that got into fair trade through a variety of ways are working to spread the message.

● 「What’s important is growing together! 」Organizations promoting long term fair trade by combining support and fun

　Founded 25 years ago, the NVC has always

worked to connect Niigata to world based on

the needs of the time. They began working

with fair trade last year, and are working to

create self-reliance at an orphanage they have

long supported. There are many products to

choose from, but they work to ensure that

customers pick fair trade goods that aren’t just

fashionable or high quality, but ones that have

a real story behind them, and work to help the

world and themselves grow and become more

prosperous. 　“We have a lot of fun with our work. Our

activities are open to anyone and fun to

participate in, so feel free to drop by the NVC

offices anytime!” Ms. Mikami, Head of NVC

Office

h NV

Niigata International Volunteer Center （NVC）

Ms. Mikami, head of

the NVC office, with fair

trade products made by

children in orphanages

　Cafair is working to expand the idea of fair trade being used for fun in everyday life, by holding fair trade beer and wine tasting parties and working with Latte art, all based on the idea that fair trade should be fun and relaxing, like a tea party. 　“After learning about fair trade, it changed how I saw lots of things. I thought about the background of the things I was using and eating. I want to help support fair trade abroad and here in Japan as well.” Mr. Kato, Cafair

Café Fair Trade Niigata （Cafair）

From the “Fair Trade Choco la te Par ty” event

● 「By buying what we like, we help with international cooperation! 」Fair trade shops that help spread fair trade to many people

　The store has all manner of goods that are good for people and the environment, including of course fair trade goods, organic goods, and products made by people at welfare institutes in Niigata. All of their products are fashionable, and many customers are surprised that the items they like were fair trade, providing a good starting point to learn. 　“I hope that all the people of the world can live happily in peace without worry through fair trade. I will be very happy if people can continue to buy and use fair trade goods.” Ms. Ogawa, Rerun

Rerun

Fashionable fair trade products line the store, start ing one piece summer dresses

　Rather than just supporting someone, Ra・Napu holds a variety of events in many areas so that people continue to support fair trade by eating delicious food and having fun. In addition to collecting fair trade products directly from manufacturers, they also sell items made by the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake. “By learning about fair trade, I think you can improve your quality of life. I hope our customers will be able to find even one thing that they like and can use in their everyday.” Ms. Wakai, Ra・Napu

Ra・Napu

A unique se lect ion of fair trade goods inc luding products purchased straight from the makers themselves and items sold in the European Union.

　The owners of Narnia learned about fair trade in UK, and opened a store in order to spread fair trade in Niigata and Japan. In addition to the store, they also actively participate in events with fair trade promotion organizations, and create many chances for people to learn about fair trade. “The role of a fair trade shop is to promote the continuity of fair trade goods. Just by buying items you like, you can help provide international support. I think that’s the secret to continuing fair trade.” Ms. Maruta, Narnia

pp

Global world “Narnia”

The store has many fair trade products, from instruments from Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Africa, to olives from PalestinePalestine

　A store involved in fair trade beauty products.

Fair trade products are usually foodstuffs or clothes,

but there are also many beauty products, and fair

trade products made from all natural ingredients

have been getting a lot of attention for being good

for you.

　“In order to make people happy, you must first

be happy yourself. I hope you’ll try these beauty

products, which are good for you, your health, and

the earth.” Ms. Uchiyama, Reia

Reia

Fair trade beauty products

and body creams

Niigata is on Fire！Promoting Fair Trade!!Promoting Fair Trade!!

● 「Niigata-made！Fair Trade Goods！！」 Supporting self-reliance by developing products, trading with craftsmen, and providing technical assistance

　Asia Craft Link supports the self-reliance

of the Myanmar people by developing fair

trade products, providing manufacturing and

technical assistance in Myanmar, and selling

the products, all by themselves.

　They make products suited to Japanese

styles by making use of the rich natural

resources of Myanmar like wood crafts, textiles,

tea, and jade, along with the skilled hands of

the Myanmar people.

　 “Fair Trade is one method of international

cooperation. International cooperation still

involves a lot of trial and error, but we hope

fair trade can be seen as a solid method.

Maybe you’ll see our products once and be

impressed by them.” Mr. Iida, Asia Craft Link

k ports theAsia Craft Link （Fair Trade Shop Sai）

The popular wooden

cutlery (chopsticks,

spoons, etc.) is also

sold in Ginza in Tokyo

　Brightly colored bags line the store’s interior. As a result of trading with Nepalese craftsman in an attempt to get simple, high-quality goods, GLOCAL STYLE has been able to improve the lives of their Nepalese partners. GLOCAL STYLE will certainly continue to grow alongside the Nepalese craftsmen with various products and ideas, and they are also working to develop activities that help Niigata children learn about the world. 　“ We hope our customers are happy with our product, and even happier with the fact they could also donate money as a bonus. Niigata is one part of the world, so we want to enlarge our horizons and support our area!” Mr. Nakanishi, GLOCAL STYLE

GLOCAL STYLE

Mr. Nakanishi with his pride, sturdily made handbags from Nepal

● 「From the colleges　Let’s spread fair trade!!」College students working to spread fair trade awareness

　This fair trade circle was created in April, 2014 based on the idea that through fair trade you can help solve child labor. They started by working with fair trade shops in Niigata, and are planning to hold fair trade workshops at elementary and middle schools, and sell snacks made with fair trade goods at their school festival. “I think fair trade is the only type of international cooperation that anyone can easily do. We hope to spread fair trade to Niigata, and the world!” Mr. Kobayashi, Representative

Keiwa College Fair Trade Circle

hSu o tin s lf li nc by d v lo in oducts t din wiititith

　A student from University of Niigata Prefecture who interned at the Niigata International Association is planning a fair trade event to teach Niigata children about fair trade. She and her fellow students will be holding a workshop on traditional Bangladeshi embroidery and fair trade at the Niigata Prefecture International Plaza on July 27th, 2014 for parents and children! 　“We want to teach kids about the lives of people in places with child labor and unfair trade and get them to understand there are things we can do to help. Since parents and kids can enjoy making the embroidery together, we hope everyone can participate!” Ms. Sugahara, ※Event and application information on pg. 4

University of Niigata Prefecture Fair Trade Workshop Team

　Jian Han, who comes from Daegu, the third biggest city in Korea, started working as a Coordinator for International Relations in the International Affairs Division, Niigata Prefecture in April, 2014. We spoke to Ms. Han about being a bridge between Korean and Japanese cultures.

Interview

ーWhat brought you to Japan?　 I b e g a n s t u d y i n g J a p a n e s e i n m i d d l e school, and in college I majored in Japanese, and then in Japanese-Korean Translation in graduate school. I’ve become able

to speak Japanese fairly well, but working directly with Japanese people has shown me there’s still much I don’t know about the country. I wanted to learn more, not just about Japanese language, but about Japanese culture and the country itself, so I applied to be a CIR. ーWhat have you found fun or surprising about living in Niigata?　I’ve only just gotten to Niigata, but it strikes me that wherever you go, there are lots of flowers. Everyday on my way to work I see people tending to their gardens. Also, the squid and scallops here are really good. I didn’t really

eat squid or shellfish in Korea, but after coming to Niigata I see how good they really are. 　As far as surprises, the crows here are enormous! You don’t really see crows in Korea much, so that was surprising. Also, convenience stores are great with their toilets and everything, but I was surprised the ATMs aren’t open 24 hours. ーThis issue’s theme is “fair trade,” so what is situation with fair trade in Korea?“Fair trade” has also become an topic in Korea recently, and many NGOs and citizens groups are expanding their social activities. Goods that are imported in huge amounts from Africa like coffee and chocolate are often the target of these activities. Now you often see coffee beans imported under fair trade laws in supermarkets. ーDo you have a message for the citizens of Niigata?　Annyeonghaseyo! My name is Jian Han, and as a CIR I will work on bringing together Niigata and Korea. Thank you for your support!

T e a m m e m b e r s working hard to teach kids about fair tradeG r o u p m e m b e r s discussing how best to spread fair trade in Niigata