Lebensmittelsicherheit in Japan nach Fukushima : Produzenten versus Konsumenten?

Food Safety in Post-Fukushima Japan: Producers versus Consumers?

After the Fukushima nuclear accident many Japanese consumers feel irritated and seek reliable information on radiation levels in food and on the threats that radioactivity may pose to their health. The Japanese government has introduced limits on radioactivity in food but has been criticized for its late response to food safety issues and for mainly trying to calm food fears amongst Japanese consumers. Since the government does not provide sufficient information, other actors step in. While some organizations promote food products from the Tōhoku area in solidarity with local farmers, Citizen’s Radioactivity Measurement Stations or food distribution networks offer radiation measuring to consumers and farmers. Some retailers and co-ops are even drawing up their own radiation safety standards. My paper introduces different actors which provide consumers with information on food safety and analyses power relations in the field of food safety in post-Fukushima Japan.