Japan tourist spots bring back public trash cans as travel rebounds

Some communities worry street bins could lead to more litter

20231027 Kyoto trash box

A tourist uses a trash box that automatically compresses garbage, at a popular spot in Kyoto. (Photo by Seishi Minowa) 

SEISHI MINOWA, Nikkei staff writer

OSAKA -- With the swelling influx of international tourists into Japan following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions, a growing number of popular tourist destinations are reinstalling trash cans on streets in an attempt to keep from being flooded with litter.

Over the past 30 years, public waste cans have been mostly removed from Japanese streets. The absence of garbage cans often bewilders foreign visitors by making them keep their trash and take it back to their hotel.

Sponsored Content

About Sponsored ContentThis content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.