Thousands of Japanese are again expected to join a million people in over 60 countries in celebrating the world’s 13th Buy Nothing Day, “the eco=holiday of the 21st century.” Some of the colorful events on the streets and shopping centers of the world will feature a mascot made-in-Japan: Zenta Claus. The BBC, the NYT and the Wall Street Journal have reported in the past, and a documentary is in the making.


In Japan, NPOs, groups and individuals are planning to add wasabi flavor to the global event. In addition to the traditional Zenta meditations in front of department stores, a consumer monster will surprise shoppers with exclamations like “I want more, more stuff! Shop more! Yes, be a consumer monster like me!" Cable TV viewers in Tokyo and Yokohama will get an un-commercial break when the BND spot is broadcast, and buy nothing people in Osaka can take a zero-Yen fun tour. Eco-NGOs like the Sloth Club encourage their members to spend a day without shopping stress, and will celebrate with exhibitions, street art and the sloth dollar launch. Some e-businesses will have nothing for sale.



What’s behind the global carnival? 20% of the world’s population consume 86% of the planet’s resources (according to the 2001 UNDP report). “On BND, lets stop and think. What can we do to make the world more just, peaceful and sustainable? On a personal level, we need to change our attitude towards shopping- it’s not a harmless pastime, but an act that connects us to the people who make our stuff and the incinerators that burn it in the end. On a political level, we need alternatives to the global use’n’toss economy: fair trade, family businesses, socially and ecologically sustainable business, true cost economics“ says Gabriele Hadl, a BND Japan spokesperson. Eco-businesses and social entrepreneurs also endorse BND. Says John Bayles, of Tengu Natural Foods, “We are not just good people. We are the vanguard of the new sustainable economy. BND is a day to drive that home.”

MORE ON BND Japan: www.bndjapan.org (incl event schedules)

Gabriele Hadl BND Japan Networker gabi(NOSPAM)bndjapan.org

Satoko Yanagihori BND Japan PR manager unagihori(NOSPAM) ybb.ne.jp

Sloth Club ナマケモノ倶楽部　事務局　Tel/Fax: 03-3638-0534　babi(NOSPAM) sloth.gr

More on BND global: adbusters.org, buynothingday.co.uk/
Consumer Monster (as sighted in Canada in 2002):
www.adbusters.org/abtv/contest/winners2003/direct_action/consumer_monster2/index.html