Major Japanese apparel companies are planning to stop using cotton grown in China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. As per NHK World, the firms are reviewing their supply chains amid allegations that the material is produced with forced labor.

Apparel company World plans to stop selling items made with cotton from the Xinjiang region. The move will help the company address human-rights issues.

Sporting-goods firm Mizuno also plans to discontinue using cotton products made in Xinjiang and is reviewing its supply chain for the same. But the operator of Muji-brand household-goods stores will continue using Xinjiang cotton in its products as a recent. recent inspection found no major violations, including forced labor.

Allegations that ethnic Uyghur minorities in the Xinjiang region are being subjected to forced labor have drawn worldwide criticism. Beijing denies that the practice is taking place.

There have been boycotts in China of foreign brands that have come out against using Xinjiang cotton.