Kamakura City Certified as a Fair Trade Town

Seventh in Japan, Second in Kanagawa Prefecture After Zushi City

Kamakura City has been certified as a Fair Trade Town in March 2025 by the Japan Fairtrade Forum, which administers the Fair Trade Town Certification Program. In Japan, Kumamoto City was the first to be certified in 2011, followed by Nagoya, Zushi, Hamamatsu, Sapporo, and Inabe, making Kamakura the seventh certified city. In Kanagawa Prefecture, Kamakura is the second city to receive this accreditation, following Zushi.

Kamakura Ethical Lab, the organization promoting Fair Trade Town status in Kamakura, has been advancing various initiatives in collaboration with citizens, government, and businesses to achieve this long-awaited certification.

Upon receiving the certification, we received the following comment from Mayor Takashi Matsuo of Kamakura City:

"I am delighted that Kamakura City has been certified as the seventh Fair Trade Town in Japan. I believe this certification is the result of the organic collaboration among citizens, businesses, and the government, who have inherited the spirit of 'believing in peace and striving for friendship with the countries of the world,' as stated in the Kamakura Citizens' Charter, and have worked together toward the shared goal of realizing a sustainable society. While Fair Trade Town certification was our goal, it is not the end. We believe that 'one step by 100 people changes the world more than 100 steps by one person,' and we will use this certification as an opportunity to actively promote fair trade and ethical consumption within and beyond the city, in cooperation with citizens and businesses. Come on! Fair Trade!!!"

The accreditation ceremony will be held in the spring of 2025 in Kamakura City.

Kamakura City’s Commitments to Date

In May 2023, the citizens' organization "Kamakura Ethical Lab" was established with the aim of certifying Kamakura as a Fair Trade Town and continuing its activities. They have worked to promote fair trade and ethical consumption at various events in the city, starting with the joint development of the fair trade coffee "Kamakura Roasted Coffee - Fair Trade Kamakura Blend." On October 2, 2024, the Kamakura City Council adopted a resolution to expand fair trade initiatives. Subsequently, on October 29, 2024, the Mayor of Kamakura announced the "Kamakura City Fair Trade Declaration," and citizens, businesses, and the government have worked together to promote fair trade.

Future Prospects

We believe it is important to take this Fair Trade Town certification as a starting point and connect it to the future. Kamakura Ethical Lab will continue to promote fair trade in collaboration with citizens, government, and businesses, aiming to create a sustainable town that is friendly to both people and the earth by making ethical consumption the norm.

In May 2025, we plan to continue the collaborative project through fair trade by selling "Gonan-omusubi," which was jointly developed as the second phase of the industry-region promotion collaboration project aimed at reviving local food-related culture in the modern age.

We will also be more proactive in our efforts to further promote fair trade to citizens.

What is a Fair Trade Town?

This is an initiative that contributes to the self-reliance of producers in developing countries who are in a disadvantaged or vulnerable position and to the protection and conservation of the environment. It promotes a fair philosophy by expanding the circle of fair trade through the cooperation of town administration, businesses and shops, and citizens' groups. Municipalities that agree with the Fair Trade philosophy and are involved in promotion activities are accredited based on Japan's own standards, which are based on those of the UK and other countries.

About Kamakura Ethical Lab

Kamakura Ethical Lab is an organization that promotes ethical consumption and lifestyles, working for the certification and continuation of Fair Trade Town status in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture. It was established on May 13, 2023 (World Fair Trade Day). It promotes activities to build a better society and a sustainable future through fair trade.

Contact Information

Organisation: Kamakura Ethical LabContact person: Inaba, Hirano

Email address: info@kamakura-ethical-lab.or.jp