Amid growing international criticism that cotton products from China's Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region were suspected of being produced by forced labor by ethnic minorities and Uighurs, major Japanese companies that make clothing are also locally produced cotton. We are under pressure to take measures such as reviewing the use of the product.
Cotton products produced in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region are known for their high quality but relatively low prices, but it has been pointed out that they were suspected of being produced by forced labor of Uighurs, and international criticism has been made. Is increasing.
Under these circumstances, the major apparel company "World" is considering discontinuing sales of locally produced cotton products that have been confirmed to be used.
The company says, "It is difficult to know the origin of all procured items, but it is necessary to deal with human rights issues."
In addition, Mizuno, a major sports equipment company, is conducting a survey of its procurement network with a policy of discontinuing the use of local cotton products in clothing and other items.
On the other hand, the "Ryohin Keikaku", which develops MUJI, indicates that it will continue to use locally cultivated cotton for its own products, saying that there were no serious violations such as forced labor in the latest audit.
In China, boycotts of products by companies that have announced that they will stop using Uighur cotton products are also taking place, forcing companies to make difficult decisions over human rights issues.