"No Garbage Bags Available": Japan Faces Shortages, Suspends Mandatory Use Amid Panic Buying

Shortages Emerge Even Without Nationwide Mandate in Japan

Panic Buying Spurs Auction Site Resales

Some Areas "Suspend Usage Requirement, Allow Regular Bags"

Amid stockpiling of pay-as-you-throw garbage bags in Korea due to the aftermath of the U.S.-Iran war, some regions in Japan are also experiencing shortages of designated garbage bags, prompting local governments to take action.

Garbage bins in Osaka. Photo by Kyodo News via Yonhap News Agency

According to local media on April 29, the city of Ichihara in Chiba Prefecture has temporarily suspended the mandatory use of designated garbage bags for combustible waste. Until May 30, transparent plastic bags can be used in place of the existing designated bags.

This measure was implemented in response to the ongoing shortage of city-designated bags. By April 27, more than 60 complaints had been filed in Ichihara, stating that residents were unable to obtain bags. A city official explained, "Suppliers have said they can provide the usual quantity, but the situation has not improved, as there have been cases of bags being listed on online auction sites. Panic buying caused by anxiety is leading to shortages."

Unlike Korea, the use of pay-as-you-throw bags is not mandated nationwide in Japan. The use of designated bags varies by municipality, and in some areas like Tokyo’s 23 wards, residents only sort their waste for collection and do not use special bags. Disruptions in supply and panic buying have led to confusion, particularly in municipalities that have adopted designated bags.

The city of Ryugasaki in Ibaraki Prefecture has permitted the use of regular transparent plastic bags instead of designated bags through the end of June. In Yonabaru Town, Okinawa Prefecture, difficulties in procuring thinner needed for printing on the bags have led the local government to begin supplying unprinted bags and to differentiate waste types by color coding, starting next month.

In Korea, concerns over crude oil supply disruptions have also sparked stockpiling of pay-as-you-throw bags. On March 30, Kim Seonghan, Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment, said, "There is a sufficient supply of pay-as-you-throw bags and there are no plans to raise prices," urging the public to refrain from excessive purchases. He added, "Even in the worst-case scenario, measures such as allowing the use of regular bags are in place, so there will be no need to store garbage at home."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.