Let's Japan.org Debunking Eikaiwa and Ramblings in Japan

You're so right. My mother-in-law wouldn't know what the hell to do with herself. Most likely she'd just continue bobbling along down to York Benemall every morning on her Charinko.

There is also the AMAKUDARI aspect to consider here. These officials saw first hand what happened to SNOW BRAND and that other mob with the beef problems last year-ish (MEAT HOPE or something?) Where will they go when the companies they licked the arse of are out of business?

Fair comment, senseiman1. In response to your questions:

1) I take this as some substance:

Among cases not publicized was one involving the labeling of Chinese-raised eels as those from Oita and Kagoshima prefectures.

There were also cases in which farm-raised "ayu" fish were labeled as wild, a case in which rice harvested in 2007 was packed in October 2008 and labeling "newly harvested," and meat that was repacked merely to extend the expiration date.

There were also at least 80 cases in which products, such as vegetables and coffee beans, were labeled "organic" although they have not been approved as "organic" by the central government.

Granted, nobody is going to die or fall ill from these types of mislabeling, but I think even technical infractions need to be disclosed. If it's clear that there were no malice intended, the companies won't suffer. In these cases it appears that money is at the root of the mislabeling--disguise cheap food as high-quality food and sell it for a premium. Personally, I'm not happy about eating mislabeled or second-rate food and I don't think we should simply dismiss these instances out of hand.

2) I disagree. If not profit, it's putting corporate concerns ahead of those of the public. Let's not forget the Mikasa tainted rice scandal last year where ministry inspectors somehow failed to find anything wrong with the rice for years. Hmmmm. Massive incompetence? It's possible. The scandal resulted in the resignation of the minister at the time, Seiichi Ota, because he made some idiotic remarks about not wanting to create a stir over the sale of the rice. Prior to the tainted rice, there was the gyoza scare. Ota also put his foot in his mouth by dissing consumers who complained.

3) The minor cases don't need to be punished, but as you say, for the sake of transparency, it's better to disclose everything. The Japanese are very proud of their food, and I'm sure you've probably met someone who told about X being the best. When you stop and consider the steady stream of scandals like Snow Brand, BSE, Meat Hope, and assorted mislabelings, I have serious doubts about their claims. In fact, there's an argument to be made about how much second-rate food there is in Japan. Anyway, why is disclosure important? Because you can prevent food scandals through public education and awareness. Well, that's the aim at least.