Read the textile industry sustainability report. vol.6

I would like to study the current situation of the textile industry in Japan by reading the report of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, "Blueprint for a New Era" July 2021.

Deepen your understanding by commenting and supplementing excerpts from the report. I would like to read on in style. thank you.

This is the continuation of vol.5.

2.Responsible supply chain management (1) Background The collapse of Rana Plaza in Bangladesh in 2013 (more than 1,000 dead, 500 missing, and more than 2,500 injured) triggered the textile industry. There has been widespread recognition of the importance of responsible supply chain management in After the accident, the process (due diligence guidance) will be developed to identify ways to deal with adverse effects that may occur in the production process (supply chain) of products worldwide, and to enable prevention, mitigation, and explanation. In Japan, the formulation of the NAP (National Action Plan) is progressing, and in October 2020, the "Business and Human Rights Action Plan" was formulated and announced.

Isn't the Rana Plaza collapse accident an exploited product for all textiles produced abroad? It was an accident that made me think. In order to eliminate such doubts, I believe that the production process must be transparently disclosed to consumers.

(2) Current Situation Problems related to foreign technical intern trainees and fair trade are issues in the supply chain in Japan. Foreign technical intern trainees have been accused of violating laws and regulations (non-payment of minimum wages, extra wages, etc., illegal overtime work, etc.). In June 2018, the "Efforts for Appropriate Implementation of Technical Intern Training for Foreigners in the Textile Industry" was decided. It requires the ordering companies to confirm and guarantee that there will be no problems with the implementation of the technical intern training.

Considering that 98% of the products are manufactured overseas, I think that there is a current situation where domestic factories are somehow competing against low-wage labor products manufactured overseas with low-wage labor for foreign technical interns.

Another reason why apparel companies are reluctant to manage their supply chains is the enormous cost of due diligence in the textile industry's long and complex supply chains. Furthermore, due diligence may be required in transactions with Western companies. As a result, companies in production areas are beginning to move to acquire international certifications from third-party organizations to improve their corporate activities and product evaluations. International certifications include OEKO-TEX, Bluesign, GOTS, and Textile Exchange. The Nissenken Quality Evaluation Center, a general incorporated foundation, has an OEKO-TEX certification body.

For example, in order to receive OEKO-TEX certification, it takes approximately one month (approximate) to obtain the results of the sample for analysis test that is submitted to Nissenken. The certification fee is 120,000 yen per year (1 year renewal) plus analysis fee.

That's all for today.

thank you very much.