“End Cage Farming: The Hidden Nightmare”
On July 4, 2026, the certified NPO Animal Rights Center Japan held a joint street action with the global animal protection organization Mercy For Animals in front of the Hachiko statue at Shibuya Station.
Currently in Japan, approximately 98.5% of laying hens are raised in harsh conditions inside cages.
In Europe and North America, corporations and retailers are increasingly transitioning to cage-free systems, and many countries are making progress in improving rearing environments. Meanwhile, cage farming still accounts for the vast majority in Japan, representing a significant global challenge.
This joint activity with Mercy For Animals demonstrates that the current situation in Japan is drawing international attention as a critical issue.
We conducted awareness-raising activities for the many people visiting Shibuya, aiming to inform more people about this reality and encourage individual action.
About Mercy For Animals
Mercy For Animals (MFA) is a global animal protection organization founded in 1999. Operating in North America, South America, Asia, and beyond, it works to improve the welfare of farmed animals through corporate engagement, policy advocacy, and consumer awareness campaigns.
In Japan, they are currently running “The Hidden Nightmare” campaign to raise awareness about the issues surrounding cage farming for laying hens in Japan.
Activities of the Day
On the day of the event, 21 volunteers joined us.
On the street, we:
• Distributed original campaign flyers from both organizations
• Engaged in dialogue with passersby
• Displayed panels showing the reality of cage farming
• Delivered speeches using a microphone
were carried out.
Many people stopped to listen
During the activity, many people took the time to read the panels carefully and listen to the speeches.
Additionally, a chicken mascot provided by Mercy For Animals made an appearance; some people took photos with it or offered words of encouragement, saying, “I’m rooting for you.”
Some people, including students, said, “I’m already careful about the eggs I buy,”
and shared how they make their choices.
Through these individual conversations, it was a valuable opportunity to inform people about the current state of cage farming.
What You Can Do
There are things each of us can do to improve the living conditions of chickens.
Please take a look at the campaigns of both organizations, think about this issue, and start taking action where you can!
View the Campaigns Here
• Animal Rights Center Japan
“Inside the Cage: Where Eggs are Born”
A daily record of cage-farming poultry facilities in Japan. You can learn about what happens in these facilities every day.
• Mercy For Animals
The Hidden Nightmare
You can watch an animation depicting the suffering of chickens inside cages.
🎥 Click here for a digest video of this article
▶ Instagram Reels
You can see the street action and the reality of cage farming in about a minute and a half.
▼Flyers distributed during the action
