Categories
Each term, in order: what it means, which certifications apply, and how to check it for yourself.
Plant-based
Food made without animal-derived ingredients. It overlaps with “vegan” but the two words do not mean the same thing.
Allergen-free
Food made without specific allergens. Japan's system mandates disclosure when an allergen is present — not a guarantee of absence.
Gluten-free
Food without gluten from wheat, barley or rye. Japan's rice-flour tradition makes this easier than it looks.
No added MSG
Products made without added umami seasonings. Like “additive-free” generally, what it covers varies by product.
Organic
Products made with ingredients from organic agriculture. In Japan the legal backing is the Organic JAS standard.
Fair trade
Goods traded so that producers receive a fair return. Two different certification models exist.
Cruelty-free
Products developed without animal testing. A separate axis from vegan.
Reducing food loss
Efforts to cut the waste of edible food, and the products that come out of them.
Upcycling
Turning material headed for disposal into something of higher value. Distinct from recycling.
Plastic-free
Products made without petroleum-based plastic. Not the same as “biodegradable” or “bio-based”.
Made with welfare workplaces
Goods produced in partnership with workplaces employing people with disabilities.
Small producers
Goods from small-batch makers. Lower volume often means more visible provenance.
Additive-free
Made without food additives — or without certain ones. The scope varies by product.
Environmentally considered
Products designed to reduce impact at some stage of their life — production, use, or disposal.
Superfoods
An informal label for nutrient-dense foods. It has no definition in nutrition science.
Soy meat
Meat-alternative products made from soy. Dried, retort and frozen types behave differently.
Plant milks
Soy, oat, almond and other plant-based drinks. Each suits different uses.
Seasonings
Soy sauce, miso, dashi and syrups. The base of Japanese cooking — and the usual sticking point for plant-based and gluten-free eating.
Sweets and baked goods
Baking without eggs or dairy, and Japanese confectionery made from rice flour and beans.
Drinks
Tea, coffee, plant milks and fermented drinks. Origin and process information is unusually easy to find here.
Protein
Plant protein powders and protein-rich foods. Source changes both taste and nutrition.
Cereals and grains
Granola, oats and Japanese mixed grains. Added sugar and fat change the picture completely.
Rice, bread and noodles
Staples. The live questions are rice flour and gluten, and refinement versus whole grain.
Instant noodles
Cup and packet noodles. The soup base and the noodle's fat are the things to look at.
Frozen food
Frozen plant-based meals and prepared vegetables. Shelf life is itself a food-loss measure.
Jams and spreads
Fruit preserves, nut butters and Japanese spreads. Sugar level and fruit content tell you most.
Skincare
Lotions, serums, creams. Vegan, cruelty-free and organic are three separate standards.
Haircare
Shampoo and conditioner. Surfactant type, and whether refills exist, are the two live questions.
Body care
Soap, body wash, oils and lip balm. Both ingredients and packaging are choices here.
Makeup
Foundation, lip and eye products. Animal-derived pigments and textures are the thing to watch.
Cosmetics
Cosmetics generally. Japan's full-ingredient-disclosure rule works in the buyer's favour.
Beauty
An entry point to skincare, haircare, body care and makeup.
Kitchenware
Cooking tools, tableware and storage. Material choice, and whether it can be repaired.
Bags and small goods
Tote bags, wallets, pouches. Material origin and durability are the questions.
Household goods
General household items. Material, durability and end-of-life are the criteria.
Everyday essentials
Detergents, cleaning products, paper goods. High volume means small choices add up.
Local and domestic
Japanese-origin goods. The stronger argument is continuity of production, not transport distance.
Food
An entry point to the food categories.
Home and living
An entry point to kitchenware, everyday essentials and household goods.