I need to share my thoughts about my trip to Japan

Summary

In this video, the speaker discusses the release of their new book, *How to Go and Stay Vegan*, sharing details about its availability for pre-order and upcoming speaking tour in London, Bristol, and Manchester. They reflect on their recent trip to Japan and South Korea, highlighting the challenges of promoting veganism and animal welfare, particularly in Japan. The speaker explores cultural perceptions of veganism in Japan, the exploitation of animals through pet stores and cafes, and the societal barriers to change. They express gratitude for the support they’ve received and share their excitement for returning to their weekly Substack uploads.

Takeaways

• 😀 Huge thanks to those who have pre-ordered the book 'How to Go and Stay Vegan,' which will be released in time for Christmas and January.
• 😀 A speaking tour in January will be held in London, Bristol, and Manchester, covering topics like veganism, animal rights, and the new book.
• 😀 The new book is not just about becoming vegan, but about living as a vegan in a non-vegan world, addressing both practical and emotional challenges.
• 😀 In Japan, there are ongoing discussions about animal welfare, but farmed animal welfare is a significant challenge, with Japan rated 'G' for farmed animal treatment.
• 😀 Fish are not seen as sentient animals in Japan, and their welfare is often ignored in discussions about animal rights and welfare.
• 😀 Japan's culture of conformity makes it difficult to address topics like veganism, which is often seen as inconvenient, selfish, and nonconformist.
• 😀 Many people in Japan don’t understand veganism due to limited exposure, and cultural factors make embracing it harder, particularly in relation to dining and social norms.
• 😀 The pet industry in Japan, including puppy and kitten stores, exploits animals' cuteness for profit, often leading to impulse purchases and subsequent abandonment.
• 😀 Despite the challenges, there is some progress in animal welfare discussions in Japan, including a government committee exploring improvements, though focus is still largely on pets rather than farmed animals.
• 😀 The importance of educating people about animals and animal rights is highlighted as the foundation for improving animal welfare and fostering a more compassionate society.

Q & A

What recent project is the speaker thanking the audience for supporting?

The speaker is thanking the audience for pre-ordering their new upcoming book titled *How to Go and Stay Vegan*.

What events is the speaker hosting in January?

The speaker is hosting a speaking tour with events in London, Bristol, and Manchester, where they will discuss veganism, animal rights, and their books.

Why was the speaker traveling in South Korea and Japan?

The speaker was on a speaking tour, giving talks at schools, universities, companies like JP Morgan, vegan events, and meeting with elected officials.

What major issue regarding animal welfare did the speaker highlight about Japan?

Japan has a G rating—the lowest possible—on the Animal Protection Index for farmed animal welfare, indicating extremely poor protections.

What specific animal-related concerns did the speaker discuss with Japanese parliament members?

They discussed vegan food labeling issues and proposed updates to Japan’s animal welfare laws, which currently focus mainly on pets rather than farmed animals.

Why does the speaker believe fish suffering is especially overlooked in Japan?

Fish are often not viewed as sentient animals but more like inanimate objects or seasonings, leading to minimal public awareness or legislative concern for fish welfare.

What cultural challenges in Japan make adopting veganism more difficult?

Cultural expectations around conformity, avoiding inconvenience, and avoiding topics like ethics, politics, or nontraditional lifestyles make veganism seem fussy, selfish, or socially disruptive.

What practice in Japan did the speaker find particularly troubling regarding pets?

The prevalence of pet shops selling puppies and kittens in store windows, which encourages impulse purchases and contributes to abandonment and shelter issues.

Why does the speaker criticize 'mini pig cafés' in Japan?

Because mini pigs are not real breeds—piglets are kept small through neglect or starvation, and their cuteness is exploited for profit rather than genuine care.

What does the speaker believe is the root cause of widespread animal exploitation?

A lack of awareness about animals’ intrinsic value and sentience; people do not recognize that animals deserve ethical consideration, leading to ignorance and harmful practices.

What positive reflections did the speaker share about their experience in Japan and South Korea?

They described both countries as fascinating and the people—locals and foreigners alike—as kind, supportive, generous, and instrumental in organizing their events.

What update does the speaker give about their Substack activity?

They acknowledge missing weekly uploads while traveling but express excitement about resuming consistent weekly posts now that they have returned home.