From: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu (Rich Winkel)
Subject: Rainforest Action Alert: Mitsubishi
Followup-To: alt.activism.d
Originator: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu
Organization: PACH
Date: Tue, 15 Dec 1992 07:06:27 GMT

/** gen.newsletter: 142.0 **/
** Topic: NL12 Don't buy Mitsubishi **
** Written  5:39 pm  Dec 14, 1992 by asta.unih@oln.comlink.apc.org in cdp:gen.newsletter **
RAINFOREST ACTION NETWORK ACTION ALERT, DEC. 1992 Don't buy
Mitsubishi this HOLIDAY SEASON WEURE TURNING UP THE HEAT 
Watch the media this month as Rainforest Action Network turns up
the heat on Mitsubishi! Thanks to a substantial contribution, we
are increasing the intensity and visibility of our Mitsubishi
campaign with a series of actions which will focus world attention
on the devastating results of MitsubishiUs logging and timber
trading activities. These actions will include a series of
simultaneous press conferences around the world, full-page ads in
national newspapers, high-visibility banner hangings near major
commuter routes, demonstrations against Mitsubishi distributors,
gathering petitions, and writing letters.  Yoichi Kuroda, head of
Japanese Tropical Rainforest Action Network (JATAN) believes that
a 1% reduction in Mitsubishi product sales in the U.S. will be
sufficient to bring significant concessions. If Mitsubishi does
not respond to RANUs requests, our goal for 1993 is to increase
consumer awareness enough to decrease sales of Mitsubishi products
in the United States by 10%, and to block $100 million in
Mitsubishi construction project bids or contracts. Member and RAG
involvement will be critical to our success. 
WHY MITSUBISHI?
According to JATAN, Mitsubishi Corporation along with its
affiliated company Meiwa Trading imported 1,253,752 cubic meters
of tropical timber in 1990, making it JapanUs second largest
trader in tropical timbers. If timber import figures included
imports in other countries by Mitsubishi-owned companies--such as
Mitsubishi International (U.S.)--and timber exports to other
countries besides Japan, Mitsubishi is the worldUs number one
importer of tropical timber in the world. MitsubishiUs tentacles
reach into dozens of countries throughout Asia, South America and
North America.
 RANUs previous Action Alerts and World Rainforest Reports
documented MitsubishiUs environmental and cultural devastation of
forests and forest peoples. Mitsubishi has responded to
international calls for change with an extensive--but
insubstantial--public relations campaign.
 Typical of MitsubishiUs public relations tactics, the company
touts a 100-hectare reforestation research project in Sarawak,
Malaysia. Yet eyewitness reports from environmental groups in
Malaysia say that only two hectares have been planted with 25 tree
species. This pales in comparison to the tens of thousands of
hectares that have been logged by Mitsubishi. Furthermore,
Mitsubishi has not proposed reforesting Sarawak, only researching
the possibility. 
WHAT YOU CAN DO 
There are several things that you can do to stop Mitsubishi.
1) Do not buy any products that are made by companies in the
Mitsubishi family or partnerships. These include all Mitsubishi
autos, televisions, VCRs, Nikon cameras, and Kirin Beer. Do not
buy Mitsubishi autos under the Chrysler name. These include the
Dodge Stealth, Intrepid, Ram 50, and Colt; Plymouth Laser and Colt
Vista; Eagle Talon and Summit Wagon. Hyundai autos should also be
avoided because of their connections to Mitsubishi.
2) Contact RAN and request a copy of the OrganizerUs Manual for
the Mitsubishi campaign.
3) Write or fax your message to both of the following Mitsubishi
executives:
Dear Mr. __________:
While I am fully aware that your company is not directly involved
in the destruction of rainforests, you are a member of the
Mitsubishi family of corporations and partially owned by or doing
business with Mitsubishi Corporation, the trading company. As
such, I feel you have a responsibility to demand that the
Mitsubishi CorporationUs Timber Department cease all logging in
natural forests around the world. Until this occurs, I will not
purchase any Mitsubishi products and I will strongly urge my
friends and associates to do likewise.
4) Call the Corporate Communications Department for Mitsubishi
Electric Sales (714) 220-2500 and Mitsubishi Motor Sales (714)
372-6000 and give the above message to the operator.

TABLE: AROUND THE WORLD WITH MITSUBISHI 
Brazil Extensive logging to Peruvian-Colombian borders. Also paper
mills.
Bolivia Possibly largest logging operation in Bolivia with Howan
Wood Ind.
Chile  Extensive wood chipping of old growth forests for exports
to Japan 
Ecuador Early reports of mining exploration in the Andean tropical
forest
Indonesia Number one exporter of plywood form Indonesia to Japan 
Malaysia Extensive logging in Sarawak opposed by all native groups

Philippines Large investment in Agusan Wood In. producing plywood 
Papua New Found guilty be Barnett Commission of millions in Guinea
hidden profits 
Alberta, Canada Concession of over 7 million hectares of virgin
boreal forest 
BC, Canada Cutting native forests for Rlargest chopstick plant in
the worldS 
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