Tokyo’s Cleanliness Contradicts the Absence of Trash Cans

In Tokyo, the sight of a Japanese trash can is surprisingly rare, a direct aftermath of the sarin gas attack in 1995.¹ Yet, the city’s streets remain remarkably clean, a testament to the strong cultural emphasis on personal responsibility and societal norms regarding waste disposal.
This pristine state is upheld through the diligent efforts of residents who carry their own waste until they can properly dispose of it, and an effective waste management system that prioritizes recycling and meticulous trash separation.²

The Sarin Gas Attack of 1995 & Its Impact

The immediate aftermath of the Sarin gas attack in 1995 profoundly altered the landscape of Tokyo, particularly in terms of public safety measures and waste management strategies. Here’s a closer look at the impact:

1. Immediate Response:
   • The Sarin gas attack orchestrated by the cult Aum Shinrikyo in the Tokyo subway system resulted in 19 deaths and heightened public sensitivity towards unattended objects.
   • Trash cans, once a common sight in public areas, were swiftly removed from stations and streets as a precaution against potential threats, reflecting an immediate shift in public safety priorities.
2. Long-Term Changes:
   • Despite the apprehension of the chief suspects, the absence of public trash cans persisted, significantly altering the urban landscape of Tokyo.
   • Railway companies later introduced transparent trash bins as a compromise, though the total number never rebounded to pre-attack levels.
   • This period also saw a rise in ecological awareness, further contributing to the scarcity of public trash receptacles ⁴.
3. Public Safety Measures:
   • Notices in stations now routinely ask passengers to report any unusual objects, underscoring the lasting impact of the Sarin attack on public vigilance and safety protocols.
   • The removal of trash cans from crowded spaces, especially train stations, was a deliberate strategy to eliminate potential hiding spots for terrorist weapons, reflecting a profound shift in public safety and waste management policies following the attack.

Cultural Approaches to Litter and Waste

Despite the scarcity of Japanese trash cans, Tokyo’s cleanliness is a direct reflection of deep-rooted cultural practices and societal norms. Here’s how these elements contribute to maintaining public cleanliness:

• Personal Responsibility and Societal Norms: In Japan, it’s common practice for individuals to carry their trash until they can dispose of it properly, a habit reinforced by the cultural emphasis on personal responsibility and respect for shared spaces. This practice is further supported by the limited availability of public trash cans, encouraging people to be more mindful of their waste.³
• Cultural and Religious Influences: Cleanliness in Japan is not just a matter of hygiene but is deeply intertwined with religious beliefs and cultural practices. Shinto, Japan’s indigenous religion, and Buddhism, particularly its Zen variant, place a high value on cleanliness, viewing it as a reflection of the inner self. This religious and cultural backdrop contributes to the societal norm of maintaining cleanliness in private and public spaces. The concept of ‘mottainai’ or avoiding waste is a famous decluttering technique that embodies these values.⁴
• Community Engagement and Education: From a young age, Japanese children are taught the importance of cleanliness through activities like cleaning their schools, instilling a sense of responsibility and pride in their surroundings. This education extends beyond the classroom, with local communities often holding voluntary clean-ups to maintain their environment ⁶. Furthermore, waste management is a community-driven effort, with neighborhoods taking responsibility for the proper separation and collection of waste, adhering to strict guidelines for disposal.

Innovative Solutions and Waste Management Practices

In Tokyo, the approach to waste management is not just about disposal but also about innovation and sustainability. Here are key aspects:

• Innovative Waste Incineration: Tokyo operates 19 waste incineration plants that handle about 8,000 tons of household waste daily from approximately 9 million residents. These facilities not only incinerate waste at over 800°C, reducing its volume to 1/20th but also convert the heat produced into electricity, supplying the needs of the facility and contributing to the city’s power supply.⁵
• Meticulous Waste Separation: Residents play a crucial role by meticulously separating waste into categories like burnable, non-burnable, recyclable, and organic. This segregation is essential for the efficient operation of waste management facilities and for promoting recycling.⁶
• Circular Economy and Sustainability: Emphasizing a circular economy, Tokyo’s waste management strategies include repurposing waste materials into new products and reducing waste generation. Projects like “Sustainable Design TOKYO” aim to lessen consumption and enhance the recycle and reuse rates by promoting products that align with low-carbon, natural symbiosis, and recycling principles.⁷

These practices underscore Tokyo’s commitment to maintaining cleanliness while addressing environmental challenges and promoting sustainability.

Adapting as a Visitor: Tips for Managing Waste in Tokyo

Adapting as a visitor to Tokyo’s unique waste management system requires awareness and a bit of planning. Here are some practical tips:

• Finding Trash Cans: While scarce, you can locate trash cans at train stations, near vending machines, in parks, and inside convenience stores. Since 2023, more bins are being installed at tourist spots to manage litter from the increasing number of visitors.
• Proper Disposal:
  • Ensure you’re discarding items in the correct bin: combustible, non-combustible, or recyclable.
  • Convenience stores have bins for items purchased there, and vending machines usually include bins for bottles and cans.
• Handling Larger Waste: For bulkier items or if you’re staying longer, it’s crucial to understand the local waste collection schedule and separate your trash accordingly. Apartment buildings often have designated trash collection rooms. Remember, leaving large waste improperly is frowned upon.

By following these guidelines, visitors can contribute to keeping Tokyo clean and enjoy a hassle-free stay in the city.

Conclusion

Through this exploration of Tokyo’s unique approach to cleanliness and waste management, we’ve encountered a fascinating blend of cultural practices, historical aftermaths, and innovative solutions. The absence of trash cans, far from leading to disorder, reveals a deeply ingrained ethic of personal responsibility and community involvement in maintaining public spaces. Tokyo’s success in sustaining its cleanliness, despite such scarcity, showcases the city’s commitment to environmental stewardship and public safety, reinforced by meticulous waste management and recycling initiatives.

Ultimately, Tokyo’s cleanliness narrative invites us to reconsider our own attitudes toward waste disposal and the potential of community-driven approaches to sustain environmental cleanliness. Whether it’s adopting a more mindful disposal habit or embracing the concept of ‘mottainai’ to reduce waste, there are valuable lessons to be learned. This journey through Tokyo’s streets not only highlights the importance of innovation and sustainability in urban planning but also challenges us to reflect on how we can contribute to cleaner, more responsible environments in our own communities.

1. Japan’s Missing Trash Cans: How Does the Country Stay So Clean? ↩︎
2. Why Doesn’t Japan Have Trash Cans (But Tokyo’s So Darn Clean)? ↩︎
3. Japanese Etiquette, Behavior, and Habits: Why do cities in Japan stay so clean with so few trash cans? ↩︎
4. Japan’s ‘waste not, want not’ philosophy has deep religious and cultural roots, from monsters and meditation to Marie Kondo’s tidying up ↩︎
5. Advanced Waste Disposal Technology Makes Tokyo the Cleanest City ↩︎
6. Embracing Sustainability: A Glimpse into Tokyo’s Waste Management Practices ↩︎
7. How Strict Waste Management in Japan Alleviated Its Environmental Impact ↩︎