#Japan #Tokyo #animal welfare #Mercy For Animals #Cage-Free

Mercy For Animals Launches 'The Hidden Nightmare' Campaign in Japan

Mercy For Animals, an international organization dedicated to the welfare of farm animals, has announced the launch of its global awareness campaign, 'The Hidden Nightmare,' in Japan. This initiative aims to highlight the sufferings faced by chickens in the egg industry and encourage Japanese food companies to adopt cage-free egg sourcing policies to enhance animal welfare.

The campaign sheds light on the stark reality endured by millions of chickens confined in cages, urging global food companies in Japan to transition towards cage-free egg production. The centerpiece of this campaign is a compelling 2-minute and 30-second animated video created by Dirty Work and Area 23. Using a unique blend of 2D animation and stop-motion techniques, the video vividly depicts the 'nightmare' of chickens living in metal cages, unable to spread their wings.

Art serves as a mirror reflecting our conscience, prompting us to consider the hidden impact of our choices and to act with compassion. "Japan, despite being a global leader in innovation, has fallen behind the international community in terms of how it treats the animals that provide our food," said Juan José Rebollo, Global Corporate Campaign Specialist at Mercy For Animals. "Through this campaign, we aim to address the reality that over 95% of chickens in Japan are still exploited in cages. It is time for Japanese companies to expand their values of excellence to include animal welfare by committing to cage abolition across all operations by 2026."

Addressing Corporate Double Standards

One of the themes the campaign tackles is the contradiction evident in some Japanese companies. While cage-free standards have already been adopted in Europe and North America, many companies continue confining chickens in cages in their Asian operations. "Some Japanese companies publicly declare cage-free policies abroad, yet maintain different standards domestically," explained Jasmine Hirose, Global Corporate Relations Coordinator at Mercy For Animals. "Incorporating international animal welfare standards into domestic practices presents a golden opportunity for companies striving to stand at the forefront of corporate responsibility. For Japan to remain a leader in the global food industry, major companies must make decisive moves toward the phased elimination of cages. Every region where they operate must guarantee the welfare of all animals."

The 'The Hidden Nightmare' campaign mirrors a global shift towards a more compassionate food system for all living beings. Approximately 2,600 companies worldwide have already committed to transitioning to cage-free eggs. Through its efforts, Mercy For Animals has spearheaded hundreds of cage-free commitments from top food companies, contributing to significant improvements in the welfare of millions of chickens annually.

The campaign serves as a wake-up call to remind us that all chickens are sentient beings capable of feeling pain and joy. Behind immense production numbers lie creatures that deserve space to stretch their wings and live without the stress of perpetual confinement. For both businesses and consumers, the choice of cage-free or free-range eggs is not merely a supply chain adjustment, but a step towards a future of food that is kinder to the environment and all living beings.

For more details and to view the animated short of 'The Hidden Nightmare', please visit our Japanese website.

Contact for Inquiries

For details and interviews, please reach out to the following email (Japanese language inquiries welcome): [email protected].

About Mercy For Animals

Mercy For Animals is an international non-profit organization dedicated to alleviating the suffering of farm animals and promoting equitable and diverse food policies and choices. Our goal is to create a sustainable and compassionate food system for all living beings.