JAPAN: Ladies in lettuce leaves walk through central Tokyo, advocating vegetarianism

Record ID: 465073

  • Title: JAPAN: Ladies in lettuce leaves walk through central Tokyo, advocating vegetarianism
  • Date: 4th August 2009
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) NAOTO YOSHIDA, 17-YEAR-OLD STUDENT, SAYING: "I'm in shock but I think it's a good campaign. I personally don't eat meat that much anyway." (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) TATSUO YANO, 39-YEAR-OLD BUSINESSMAN, SAYING: "I didn't know what they were doing at first and I read the sign 'Go Vegetarian', I'm really surprised though." (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) SONOKO NISHIZAWA, 16-YEAR-OLD STUDENT, SAYING: "Their outfit is nice I think...(laugh) right?"
  • Embargoed: 19th August 2009 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Japan
  • Country: Japan
  • Topics: Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
  • Reuters ID: LVA39X6L1L91R0KQ8368IRMYP3AS
  • Story Text: Women from an animal rights group wear outfits made from real lettuce leaves and hold signs reading "Save the Planet. Go Vegetarian" at Japan's busiest pedestrian crossing in central Tokyo.
    Ladies wearing nothing but fresh lettuce leaves walked down Japan's busiest pedestrian crossing in central Tokyo on Monday (August 3) asking Japanese people to go green by turning vegetarian.
    Three "Lettuce Ladies" from the animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) surprised many shoppers and businessmen walking down the street in Shibuya as they strutted around holding signs that read, "Save the Planet. Go Vegetarian."
    "We're the lettuce ladies and we're telling people to go green and save the planet, eat a green diet and go vegetarian!" Ashley Fruno, member of "Lettuce Ladies" and PETA, told Reuters.
    Fruno said the idea was to let the public know that the raising and killing of animals for food can bring climate change, resource depletion, pollution and even world hunger in addition to animal suffering.
    The stunt lasted for about half an hour, and they grabbed the attention of many that walked pass.
    "I'm in shock but I think it's a good campaign. I personally don't eat meat that much anyway," said 17-year-old student Naoto Yoshida.
    Many took the time to stop and take a glimpse of the lettuce-covered ladies.
    "I didn't know what they were doing at first and I read the sign 'Go Vegetarian', I'm really surprised though," Tatsuo Yano, 39-year-old businessman, told Reuters.
    Young girls in their latest Tokyo fashion, gave the lettuce ladies a two thumbs up.
    "Their outfit is nice I think...right?" Sonoko Nishizawa, 16-year-old student, told Reuters while giggling with her friend about the lettuce leaves taped onto a women's swim wear.
    PETA is known for their unique brand of anti-fur and meat protest campaigns. The animal rights group often publicly criticizes meat companies and restaurant chains for animal welfare practices.
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