A survey by the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) in early 2024 revealed that 22% of international visitors identified the scarcity of trash cans as their biggest inconvenience in Japan. This concern outweighed issues like language barriers or overcrowding at tourist sites.

Hanako Montgomery, a CNN reporter, noted that Japan's lack of public trash cans also stems from safety considerations. The government removed numerous bins following terrorist attacks at subway stations, both within Japan and globally.

In 1995, members of the Aum Shinrikyo cult carried out sarin gas attacks on Tokyo subways. Authorities grew concerned that trash receptacles could conceal weapons, explosives, or other dangerous materials. Since then, public trash cans have become a rare sight across Japan.

Professor Chris McMorran, a Japan expert at the National University of Singapore, often receives one particular question from students: "Why is Japan so clean despite having so few trash cans?"

Professor McMorran explained that the scarcity of public trash cans in Japan primarily stems from local culture. Residents view maintaining public cleanliness as a "personal responsibility," not that of the city or government. Consequently, they typically carry their trash home for disposal rather than leaving it in public bins.

Japan also implements a complex waste sorting system. In some areas, waste is separated into as many as 20 different categories. This intricate system makes public trash cans more challenging to manage and less suitable for crowded public spaces.

However, with the boom in tourism, the nation is grappling with waste left behind by visitors. In many Japanese locations, the absence of public bins has led tourists to leave significant amounts of litter on the streets. To address this, Shibuya authorities began placing some public trash cans in April to accommodate tourists. Starting in June, individuals caught littering will face fines. This initiative, according to Hanako, is part of Japan's efforts to foster sustainable tourism.

Anh Minh (Source: CNN)