You might have heard of RAGU, Bertolli, Branston, or SARSON’s. These are overseas brands by Mizkan, one of the major food company in Japan.
For Japanese people, Mizkan product is something that is very close to our
daily life. Mizkan vinegar, dressings, and soups are very popular. We see it in commercials, restaurants, groceries, etc. I use to use Mizkan vinegar quite often when I was cooking. But now, …I don’t think I’ll ever buy their products.
On June 1, a press conference was held at the FCCJ (The Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Japan) demanding joint custody in Japan. At the conference, Nakano Daisuke, a former son-in-law of Mizkan Chairman, shared his story on how he became isolated with his son.
Mr. Nakano had his 4day-year-old son, taken away by his father-in-law. He was forced to fill out the adoption form. He has not seen his son for almost 2 years.
His story is on youtube. Both English and Japanese.
After seeing this youtube, I could not think about buying Mizkan products anymore. Moreover, just seeing their logo makes me sick.
For me, Mizakan is now a symbol of child abduction and separation.
Here in Japan, parental child abduction and alienation following that has become a serious issue. Many parents are alienated from their child for unbelievable period of time. Many loose access with their child for years. I myself am a victim of parental child abduction. My kids have been abducted by my husband. I have not seen my children for almost 1 and half year.
In lot of the cases of parental child abduction, parents-in-law are behind these plots. They control their son/daughter into child abduction.
Especially in well-known families with a long distinguished history and enormous wealth, such as Mizkan, this tendency is probably more strong.
Japanese Family Court does not consider separating a child from one of the parent as a child abuse. Neither do they consider parental child abduction as a crime. Children’s right to see both of their parents is being violated. It is clearly a violation to the Convention on the Rights of Children, which Japan ratified in 1994.
Mizkan products somewhat represents “family time” since it’s everyday products. Knowing this story of separation of new-born baby and his father done by Mizkan Chariman, would you still use their products?
My answer is NO.
