Revelations of corruption published in the Japan Times on December 9th that Takamori Yoshikawa, a senior member of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party of Japan resulted in political turmoil. The report documented a series of undeclared $5,000 donations to Yoshikawa from Akita Foods, a major egg producer. The disclosure did not elicit any concern over the basic issue of housing hens in cages but centered on bribery and ethics among politicians. 

The connection between Yoshikawa and Akita Foods also brought down Koya Nishikawa, a former Minister of Agriculture who resigned as a cabinet advisor. Apparently in January 2019 it is alleged that Yoshikawa, while serving as Minister of Agriculture proposed watering down guidelines under consideration by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) relating to transition from conventional cages to alternative systems.  The final guidelines issued by the OIE simply suggested that nesting areas and perches were ‘desirable’ and were not mandated.

Sentiment among consumers in Japan suggests little concern for hen welfare and major equipment suppliers consistently receive orders for conventional cage systems for new installations and upgrades.