No leather on glove day

Today, and November 23rd annually, is Glove Day. This day was established by the Japan Glove Manufacturers Association in 1981. The purpose is to spread the importance of gloves that protect and support your hands. It is timely in the season when the cold becomes more severe and gloves are needed. "Glove Day" also has the meaning of protecting the hands, of those who work with their hands daily, as today is also "Labor Thanksgiving Day". 

I am currently in Ireland where many people wear gloves at this time of year. But it came to my attention just last night, that few people wear leather gloves anymore in Ireland, due to animal welfare concerns. It is very hard to find leather gloves. They have been replaced with pleather. This is because of animal right concerns, leading people to move away from leather products. Japan, on the other hand, the use of leather is still ripe in Japan.

However, the wheels of change are turning, albeit slowly. Due to public pressure some major internationally popular Japanese brands are moving away from leather due to global and domestic attention, aka public pressure, on the ethics of using animal products, leading some companies to seek alternatives. For example, major Japanese sports brands ASICS and Mizuno will phase out the use of kangaroo leather entirely by the end of 2025.