Baking with Care: MIHOPAN’s Pledge to Use Only Cage-Free Eggs

MIHOPAN, a sincere bakery in Higashi-Osaka City that has consistently provided bread made with carefully selected ingredients, has recently pledged to only use cage-free eggs moving forward, showing their support for the cage-free movement. The owner, Miho, became increasingly aware of the poor treatment of animals in Japan, especially those used for ingredients in her bread, such as domestic butter, eggs, and meat. As she delved deeper into the issue, she realized she could no longer continue using these products under the same conditions. Since then, she has been committed to selecting ingredients that consider animal welfare. MIHOPAN has already transitioned to using only cage-free eggs. Additionally, the menu items…

From Farm to Table: More Soup and Mendoriya Support Cage-Free Eggs

Two stores, “More Soup” in Maebashi City, Gunma Prefecture, and “Mendoriya” in Miyakonojo City, Miyazaki Prefecture, responded to inquiries from the Animal Rights Center, stating that they currently only use cage-free eggs and will never use caged eggs, thereby expressing their commitment to cage-free. 【More Soup】 More Soup is a café run by a farmer couple that offers dishes centered on organic vegetables. They serve pudding made with cage-free eggs. Koujizawa from More Soup is also the owner of KABA Farm and provides dishes made with their own proudly grown vegetables. 【Mendoriya】 Mendoriya is involved in cage-free poultry farming. They sell exquisite bread and sweets made with eggs from chickens…

Animal Welfare Award 2024: Recognizing Ajinomoto’s Efforts to Date

The Animal Welfare Award, presented annually to companies that have made effective contributions to domestic animal welfare, has selected the winners for the poultry and fish categories. The Animal Welfare Award is organized by the certified NPO Animal Rights Center, which aims to improve the welfare of farmed and aquatic animals. This award recognizes companies that have had the most significant impact on animal welfare during the previous year (April 2023 to March 2024) Chicken Award:Laying Hen Ajinomoto Co., Inc. Since identifying animal welfare issues for farmed animals through the company’s ethical report card in 2016, Ajinomoto has taken significant steps to address these concerns. They held a roundtable with…

THREE NATURAL FOOD STORES COMMIT TO CAGE-FREE EGGS!

The following dedicated natural food stores have agreed to support the cage-free campaign in response to inquiries from the Animal Rights Center Japan; “TESHIGOTOYA, Yasai-no-Hiroba Ltd.” in Ikeda City, Osaka “Organic Shop NATURHYTHM” in Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture “MUSUBIAN” in Tsukushino City, Fukuoka Prefecture They are currently selling only cage-free eggs and have committed to continuing this practice in the future. [TESHIGOTOYA, Yasai-no-Hiroba Ltd.] With a passion for delivering safe, tasty, and homemade food, this shop offers a range of organic and locally sourced fresh vegetables, along with additive-free products. They also host agricultural experiences and operate a volunteer-run children’s diner. [Organic Shop NATURHYTHM] The shop’s motto is “good healthy…

STARTING FROM CAGE-FREE; CAFE KOBOREBI’S SOCIAL CHANGE

In August 2023, a stylish cafe named Koborebi opened in the heart of the Kameari Station Shopping Street in Katsushika-ku, Tokyo. The owner is particularly meticulous about the cafe’s exterior and interior design, selecting items from DIY and antique shops to create a relaxing and cozy atmosphere. The cafe is committed to using organic ingredients and exclusively cage-free eggs. The owner has made a cage-free commitment, promising to avoid the use of caged eggs now and future. The menu highlights animal welfare, notably in the description of its pudding made from cage-free eggs. Aiming to Be a Game-Changing Cafe The owner launched Koborebi with the ambition of effecting societal change…

Aiming for a Future of 100% Cage-Free: Two Sustainable Confectioneries

We would like to introduce two stores that aim for 100% cage-free eggs. In Kyoto City, the confectionery store Ikeda makes dorayaki using cage-free eggs. They use eggs from Wabisuke, a reputable cage-free egg producer, and hope to achieve 100% cage-free status by 2030 if Wabisuke can keep up with the supply. ‘The price gap between cage and free-range eggs is gradually narrowing,’ says the store manager, and indeed it is. However, even if more confectioners start using cage-free eggs, the taste of Ikeda, with 20 years of craftsmanship, remains unparalleled. At events, Ikeda also sells plant-based dorayaki using beet sugar. Yokoi Farm in Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture, manufactures and…

Ninjin CLUB home delivery is earth-friendly and cage-free!

Ninjin (Carrot) Club, a membership-based home delivery service in Aichi, Gifu, and Mie prefectures, offers organically grown (partially pesticide-free/low pesticide-free) fruits and vegetables, food products made without additives from raw materials, and other carefully selected household goods. They are selling only cage-free chicken eggs, and have recently made a cage-free promise that they will continue to sell only cage-free chicken eggs in the future.Ninjin Club’s philosophy is to care for the earth, health, life, and food. Give prior to animals’ behavior when raising them Ninjin Club’s website states, ‘We respect the ecologically appropriate care of animals based on the concept of animal welfare, in which all animals live happily and…

616,864 Chickens Boiled Alive – Conditions at Japanese Poultry Slaughterhouses

The statistical data for poultry processing in fiscal year 2022 has been released. Unfortunately, the figures show a shocking number of chickens that were not properly processed and instead boiled alive. This resulted in their skin turning red and the chickens being discarded. The total number of such incidents was a record high of 616,864 birds, making it the worst year in terms of casualties. The extremely cruel act of boiling birds alive involves hanging chickens and ducks upside down by shackling their legs while they are conscious and attempting to cut their throats while they struggle and flail. This often fails to properly sever their necks, leaving them to…

Aoioto in Ibaraki Prefecture will make the transition to cage-free by 2025

Aoioto Co., Ltd., which operates “French Cafe in the Forest Aoioto” and “Cutlet Cafe Aoioto” in Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture, and the sweets brand “amaioto” which was launched in July of this year, has decided to aim for a cage-free by 2025. The initiative for animal welfare began with the launch of the sweets brand “amaioto” in July 2023, with the concept of “the ultimate treat, the ultimate bite.” In the search for eggs to use in “amaioto,” they visited Obata Livestock, also located in Ibaraki Prefecture. After tasting the eggs and witnessing Obata Livestock employees gently interacting with the laying hens, they decided to use eggs from this farm.…

Supermarket “Nagomi Marche Kikuya” made cage-free promise toward future

The supermarket named “Nagomi Marche Kikuya” (Kikuya Ltd.) in Tamana District, Kumamoto Prefecture has made a cage-free promise toward the future. Kikuya is a locally loved supermarket with a lineup of carefully selected food. The selection is made by the president himself while meeting with producers in person. Mr. Higashi, the president of the company, selects food with great importance on how the animals are raised and how the producers think about their products. “It’s natural to offer cage-free eggs” True to the word, the store currently has three types of cage-free eggs. They deal with mayonnaise of cage-free eggs from all manufacturers, as well as egg-free one. Mr. Higashi…

The nature-oriented pension Evergreen in Nagano is cage-free.

The pension Evergreen, located in Suwa District, Nagano Prefecture, has endorsed the Cage-Free Commitment! Evergreen, which has been in business for 10 years, is a lodging facility where you can fully enjoy nature. It offers homemade bread using natural yeast, freshly roasted coffee, and vegetable-based lunches in an environment surrounded by nature. They are committed to pursuing natural ingredients, and their eggs are sourced from naturally raised laying hens. Using Cage -Free Egg from the Local Farm According to the owner, Evergreen has been mainly offering plant-based meals since its opening. The owner’s child happened to find out that his classmate’s family was running a cage-free chicken farm, so they…

Chiba Prefecture Children’s Center Starts Cage-Free School Meals!

The combined-type children’s center FLOWER CHILDREN, located in Sosa City, Chiba Prefecture, has decided to use only cage-free eggs for its meals. FLOWER CHILDREN operates three businesses: a small-scale nursery, care for sick and convalescent children, and an after-school children’s classroom. They provide home-like, small-group childcare and education. From October 2023, the meals provided at the facility have been transitioned to organic, and at the same time, they switched to cage-free eggs. Even the mayonnaise has been changed to use cage-free eggs. ‘If We’re Switching, Let’s Make Everything Better’ According to the director of the children’s center, the decision to go cage-free was made with the intention of switching to…

Percentage of Cage-Free Chickens in Japan Is 1.11% While Other 98.89% Are Cage Raised: 2023 Survey Results

There is no official data on the percentage of chickens raised cage free in Japan. This means that, while the overall number of the chickens kept is known, the government does not have accurate information on the raising methods used. In contrast, many European countries, the United States, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand keep such statistics. Just this past week, on October 11, 2023, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released data showing that as of June 2023, 38% of chickens in the country were not confined to cages. So what about Japan? The government uses the statistics released by the International Egg Commission that are based on the…

Mothers in Hokkaido,Announces Cage-Free Commitment

Mothers Co., Ltd., based in Shiraoi Town, Hokkaido, owns its own layer farms, and is popular for the sale of sweets made from eggs produced there. The Animal Rights Center has been urging the company, known for its understanding of animal welfare, to shift to cage-free farming for several years. Now, after reevaluating the relationship between chickens and humans through the COVID-19 pandemic and the avian influenza crisis, Mothers has decided to convert all of its farms to cage-free. Originally, one of the three buildings was cage-free, but preparations are now underway to convert the remaining two to cage-free (aviary systems). Soon, approximately 40,000 egg-laying hens will be housed in…

Traditional Department Store Embraces Animal Welfare Initiatives

Takashimaya Farm is a natural food store operated by the well-trusted, long-established department store ‘Takashimaya’, incorporating advanced agricultural and food practices. Recently, buyers from Takashimaya Farm and the Animal Rights Center Japan had an opportunity for dialogue and confirmed that all the shell eggs sold are from cage-free sources. Having cage-free products among the items selected by the discerning buyers of a traditional department store represents a significant and valuable initiative for animal welfare. It truly is a fusion of tradition and cutting-edge practices. What is Cage-Free? 99% of Japan’s egg-laying chickens are kept in cages, which are cramped and unhealthy enclosures. These farming practices are globally shifting towards cage-free…

Cafe Seaside Table Egg commits Cage-Free egg, Specializing in Menus Featuring Free-Range Eggs

The cafe Seaside Table Egg in Murakami City, Niigata Prefecture, known for its dishes and sweets primarily made with eggs, has committed to using only cage-free eggs. Opened in May 2023, Seaside Table Egg is operated by Oakrich Inc., a company that produces free-range eggs. The menu at the cafe exclusively uses free-range eggs from Oakrich Co., Ltd. Mr. Togashi, the representative of Oakrich, chose free-range poultry farming to create eggs that meet his standards, based on the belief that good eggs can only come from healthy birds. Mr. Togashi’s passionate commitment to his chickens and free-range farming is detailed on their website. All our efforts, including free-range farming and…

Cafe ‘Good Habit’ Commits to Cage-Free Eggs: Striving to Be an Entity That Does Not Oppress the Planet and Animals

The cafe GOOD HABIT in Saku City, Nagano Prefecture, known for its scones and tea, has committed to cage-free. A cage-free commitment means either switching the cage eggs to cage-free eggs (such as barn-laid or free-range), or for company that are already using only cage-free eggs, it is a promise to consumers that they will continue to avoid using cage eggs. When the Animal Rights Center Japan contacted GOOD HABIT, we were surprised by the owner, Mrs. Yashima’s, great understanding of the cage-free movement. This was because Ms. Yashima had attended the Ethical Concierge Course hosted by the Ethical Association several times, including lectures by the Animal Rights Center Japan,…

Cafe Fuwa-Fuwa, a pancake specialty restaurant, committed to cage-free!

Cafe Fuwa-Fuwa, a pancake specialty cafe in Omachi City, Nagano Prefecture, has made a cage-free commitment after informing us that all eggs used in the cafe are cage-free eggs in response to an inquiry from the Animal Rights Center Japan. A cage-free commitment is a promise to consumers to switch their eggs to cage-free eggs (barn-laid or free-range), or, for companies already using cage-free eggs, the promise to continue not using caged-eggs. The owner of Café Fuwa-fuwa became interested in organic and livestock production processes because of his own atopic disease. As he researched, he was shocked by the slaughtering methods of livestock animals and began to question the harsh…

Yubara Onsen Hakkei, a Gourmet Ryokan in Okayama Prefecture, is Cage-free!

Yubara Onsen Hakkei, located in Okayama Prefecture, has committed to cage-free. This ryokan has been serving only locally produced “Asahi no Kagayaki” cage-free eggs from Yubara, Maniwa City, and they also told us that they will be using cage -free eggs to make mayonnaise in their own kitchen from now on. Hakkei also offers vegan dishes with prior notice, as they want all customers to enjoy their cuisine. The proprietress of Hakkei, Ms. Kamishio, also has a deep love for animals and is active in the rescue of shelter dogs and cats. She is also deeply concerned about the poor conditions in which livestock animals are kept. She is concerned…

Repaco, Inc.  Self-sufficient in cage-free eggs, a pastry chef’s specialty!

Repaco Ltd., which operates 14 stores in Fukushima Prefecture and other areas in Tohoku has committed to cage-free, showing consideration for the animal welfare of their egg-laying hens. Repaco Co., Ltd. started producing its own cage-free eggs in 2021. The eggs from hens raised on homemade fruit yeast feed are sold under the name “Fruit Eggs”. The following four photos are actual photos of Repaco’s barn-raised poultry The person in charge of Fruits & Eggs has already known that He says “A pastry chef who values quality ingredients personally developed eggs that met their own standards. ‘Fruit Eggs’ are used in all of Repaco’s pastries. We thought about what makes…