Stores Around Japan Will Start Charging for Plastic Bags Starting July 1st
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Partially in place at grocery stores already, new plastic-bag policy is coming to Japan this July, and people are talking about it.
In an eco-friendly move similar to policies seen in Europe and other parts of Asia, this February the Japanese Ministry of Finance issued a request for new policy regarding free plastic bags, and the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry responded by announcing the creation of a new plastic bag fee system starting July 1, 2020. Major retailers of all kinds, department stores, and (perhaps most importantly) convenience stores will all be taking part in the new system. The so-called "fee system" requires companies to charge at least 1 yen per plastic bag, but not all bags are equal, and some varieties are exempt from the new policy. The fee is waived for:
・Plastic bags at least 50 microns thick, which are reusable and can promote a reduction in plastics use.
・Plastic bags made from 100% marine-degradable bioplastic, which can be decomposed by microorganisms in the ocean.
・Plastic bags made from at least 25% biomass, which doesn't increase carbon dioxide emissions.
(Also excluded are the thin, handle-less plastic bags used to contain produce!)
Image Source: Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
The new policies are fairly straightforward, but of course there has been plenty of Twitter discourse following the announcement. Most voices have been positive, praising the system's eco-friendly goals of reducing plastic waste. Quite a few Twitter users have taken advantage of the policy change, sharing cool reusable shopping bags of their own creation or others'. Some people have even looked to the past for inspiration, discussing traditional Japanese carrying methods using "furoshiki" cloths. (Very stylish!)
風呂敷でパソコン包み(リボンバッグ)♪zoom会議にオンライン授業にパソコン運搬にオススメ♪風呂敷ブログ継続4014日目♪#パソコン #エコバッグ #SDGS #エコ #ポリ袋 #風呂敷バッグ #zoom #風呂敷 #ふろしき #ふろしきぶる #風呂敷文化研究家 #つつみ純子 #風呂敷講座 #レジ袋有料化 #オンライン講座 pic.twitter.com/UgW93pRsr6
— つつみ純子 (@furoshikible) June 2, 2020
Some netizens were a little concerned, however, bringing up some varied qualms with the new system. For shop staff, won't it be a lot of extra work to explain the system? At first, staff will have to clarify bag prices, but in the future they'll still have to continue asking every customer about plastic bags. Others felt that the lack of plastic bags would be unhygienic, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Of the many possible solutions suggested during these discussions, a couple felt especially familiar, as a writer from Taiwan.
7月からコンビニのレジ袋も有料😫
お弁当温めて貰ったらアチチチッ言いながら端を持って歩くのかな？
台湾はすでにレジ袋有料なんだけどお弁当のときは謎の網みたいのに入れてくれます、これは無料⭕
日本でも導入してほしい( ･ิω･ิ)🙏#レジ袋有料化 pic.twitter.com/yoOoqPy8OT— イケ豚YUKI/ヒキニートが生存戦略 (@ikbt1) June 4, 2020
In Taiwan they already charge for plastic bags at convenience stores, but if you get heated food they'll put it in one of these mysterious net things for free. I really hope they'll start doing the same thing in Japan.」
これ二つとも台湾からのゲストが持ってきてたんだけど、いや超便利〜！と思って普段あんまり話しかけないタイプだけど話しかけちゃったんだよね！
欲しい欲しいって思ってたから日本も是非使って欲しい採用して欲しい！！
スタバの人お願い〜！
コンビニの人お願い〜！#レジ袋有料化#スタバ#お願い pic.twitter.com/2mfA8bvOVt— 腰痛で悩むラムミさん。 (@RaMuMi_963) June 3, 2020
Coming from Taiwan, all the conversations on Twitter kept reminding me of when Taiwanese shops that sell to-go drinks had to similarly stop providing free plastic bags, and people came up with ingenious solutions. Since Taiwan has had a plastic bag fee system in place since back in 2002, everyone there is very used to it. Honestly, when I first arrived in Japan a couple years ago, supermarket staff handing out plastic bags willy-nilly even freaked me out a little. Not only were the bags free, but staff would give you more than necessary to carry all your groceries. The bags started piling up at home, and I had so many it started to stress me out!
For now, many convenience stores and supermarkets have announced that they'll be selling bags for around 3 to 5 yen depending on the size. Some have even started using the system in advance! So if you're in Japan, or planning to visit, remember to bring a reusable shopping bag along. (Good for your wallet and the environment!) Or pick up a new shopping bag while you're hereーit might just make the perfect souvenir.
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Japankuru's head Chinese editor: mid-30s, likes to write, draw, and take photos. Aiming to become an old aunty with a girlish look. Articles written in Chinese by Lucy Wu, and translated by Sophia Appelbaum.
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NARA
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OSAKA
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CHUGOKU
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The Chugoku Region (中国地方) consists of five prefectures: Hiroshima, Okayama, Shimane, Tottori, and Yamaguchi. In Chugoku you’ll find the sand dunes of Tottori, and Hiroshima’s atomic bomb site, plus centers of ancient history like Grand Shrine of Izumo.
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HIROSHIMA
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Hiroshima Prefecture has everything, from world heritage sites to beautiful nature and delicious local cuisine, and it's either an hour and a half from Tokyo by plane, or four hours by train. Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island and the Atomic Bomb Dome, two Hiroshima UNESCO sites, are famous around the world, but in Japan it's also famous for food. Seafood from the Seto Inland Sea, especially oysters, Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, and Setouchi lemons are all popular, and the natural scenery alone is worth seeing.
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SHIKOKU
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On the other side of the Seto Inland Sea opposite Japan’s main island, Shikoku (四国) is a region made up of four prefectures: Ehime, Kagawa, Kochi, and Tokushima. The area is famous for its udon (in Kagawa), and the beautiful Dogo Onsen hot springs (in Ehime).
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KAGAWA
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Kagawa Prefecture is on the northern part of the island of Shikoku, facing Japan's main island and the Seto Inland Sea. It's known for being the smallest prefecture in Japan, by area, but at the same time Kagawa is called the "Udon Prefecture" thanks to its famous sanuki udon. Aside from Kotohiragu Shrine and Ritsurin Garden, the prefecture's small islands are popular, and Kagawa is full of unique destinations, like Angel Road. They say that if you lay eyes on Zenigata Sunae, a huge Kagawa sand painting, you'll never have money troubles ever again.
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KYUSHU
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Located in the most southwestern part of Japan, Kyushu (九州) is an island of 7 prefectures: Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima. The island's unique culture has been influenced by Chinese and Dutch trade, along with missionaries coming in through Nagasaki's port. Modern-day travelers love the lush natural scenery and fresh food, plus the natural hot springs found all throughout the area (thanks to volcanic activity)!
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FUKUOKA
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Fukuoka Prefecture has the highest population on the southern island of Kyushu, with two major cities: Fukuoka and Kitakyushu. Thanks to growing transportation networks, Fukuoka is more accessible than ever, and so are the many local attractions. On top of historical spots like Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, travelers shouldn't miss Fukuoka's food scene, with motsu nabe (offal hotpot), mentaiko (spicy cod roe), and famous Hakata ramen―best eaten from a food stall in the Nakasu area of Hakata. Plus, it's full of all sorts of destinations for travelers, like trendy shopping centers, and the beautiful nature of Itoshima and Yanagawa.
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KAGOSHIMA
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Kagoshima Prefecture played a major role in Japan's modernization as a backdrop for famous historical figures like samurais Saigo Takamori and Okubo Toshimichi, who pushed Japan out of the Edo era and into the Meiji. Because of that, Sengan-en Garden is just one of many historical destinations, and when it comes to attractions Kagoshima has plenty: the active volcano of Sakurajima, popular hot springs Ibusuki Onsen and Kirishima Onsen, World Heritage Site Yakushima Island, even what Japan calls the "island closest to heaven," Amami Oshima. Kagoshima might be found on the very southernmost tip of the southern island of Kyushu, but there's plenty to see.
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OKINAWA
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The island chain of Okinawa (沖縄) makes up the southernmost tip of Japan, which is why it's also the most tropical area in the country. Thanks to a history of independence and totally distinct political and cultural events, Okinawa has a unique culture, and remnants of the Ryukyu Kingdom are still visible all over the islands. Food, language, traditional dress, it's all a little different! It's also said to be the birthplace of karate.
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