Source: ‘Strengthening patriotism education and building a bridge of national unity’ (加强爱国主义教育搭建民族团结连心桥), China Ethnic Religion Net (中国民族宗教网), 7 November 2019
Japan: 12 Suspended transactions with Uighur related companies: Uniqlo, Sony, etc.
-12 major retailers and manufacturers in Japan-
12 Japanese companies:
Suspended transactions with “Chinese companies confirmed to be involved in forced labor in the Uighur Autonomous Region of Xinjiang, China.”
“We have solidified our policy of suspending transactions with Chinese companies related to forced labor,” Kyodo News reported on the night of February 21.
Trading suspension policy:
Uniqlo,
Sony,
Includes Hitachi, etc.
The full details have not been disclosed.
Response of Japanese companies:
Both the United States and the United Kingdom have taken steps to restrict imports of cotton products, and Japanese companies have been forced to respond.
Supply chain:
The movement of self-restraint is spreading to Japanese companies that connect with Xinjiang-related companies.
Australian Institute for Strategic Policy (ASPI):
In a report released last year, 14 Japanese companies were pointed out to be suspected of being involved in forced labor by Uighurs.
“MUJI” Ryohin Keikaku:
Ryohin Keikaku was selling products using “Xinjiang cotton” on the company’s website.
However, it was removed after a joint investigation.
–Bloomberg
https://www.bloomberg.co.jp/news/articles/2021-02-22/QOWP1VDWRGG501
Uyghurs for sale | Australian Strategic Policy Institute
In all, ASPI’s research has identified 82 foreign and Chinese companies potentially directly or indirectly benefiting from
the use of Uyghur workers outside Xinjiang through abusive labour transfer programs as recently as 2019:
Abercrombie & Fitch, Acer, Adidas, Alstom, Amazon, Apple, ASUS,
BAIC Motor, Bestway, BMW, Bombardier, Bosch, BYD,
Calvin Klein, Candy, Carter’s, Cerruti 1881, Changan Automobile, Cisco, CRRC,
Dell, Electrolux, Fila, Founder Group,
GAC Group (automobiles), Gap, Geely Auto, General Motors, Google, Goertek,
H&M, Haier, Hart Schaffner Marx, Hisense, Hitachi, HP, HTC, Huawei, iFlyTek, Jack & Jones, Jaguar, Japan Display Inc.,
L.L.Bean, Lacoste, Land Rover, Lenovo, LG, Li-Ning,
Mayor, Meizu, Mercedes-Benz, MG, Microsoft, Mitsubishi, Mitsumi,
Nike, Nintendo, Nokia, Oculus, Oppo, Panasonic, Polo Ralph Lauren, Puma,
SAIC Motor, Samsung, SGMW, Sharp, Siemens, Skechers, Sony,
TDK, Tommy Hilfiger, Toshiba, Tsinghua Tongfang,
Uniqlo, Victoria’s Secret, Vivo, Volkswagen, Xiaomi, Zara, Zegna, ZTE.
Some brands are linked with multiple factories.
The data is based on published supplier lists, media reports, and the factories’ claimed suppliers.
ASPI reached out to these 82 brands to confirm their relevant supplier details.
Where companies responded before publication, we have included their relevant clarifications in this report.
If any company responses are made available after publication of the report, we will address these online.
ASPI