Shibuya Cracks Down Hard on Littering, Issues 210 Fines in Two Weeks

TOKYO, June 18 (CNA) - The Shibuya Ward in Tokyo officially implemented fines for littering on June 1, with on-the-spot penalties of 2,000 yen (approximately NT$400) for offenders. As of June 16, 210 fines had been issued within a two-week period. Facing a shortage of trash cans, Shibuya Ward plans to install smart bins, aiming to improve the urban environment through a dual approach of enforcement and supporting measures.

In addition to fines for littering, Shibuya Ward also requires certain businesses to provide trash receptacles. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in fines of up to 50,000 yen.

However, the actual situation still presents many challenges. TBS interviews revealed that at some locations, two individuals were fined for littering on the same night. Some areas have even become "litter accumulation points," leading passersby to think, "Everyone else is throwing it here, so I can too," posing a challenge for enforcement.

Meanwhile, a survey by the Japan National Tourism Organization shows that "too few trash cans" has been the most troublesome issue for foreign tourists visiting Japan for three consecutive years, ranking higher than poor language communication, overcrowded tourist attractions, and inconvenient public transportation.

Japan had previously removed a large number of public trash cans due to anti-terrorism considerations, often leaving the public and tourists in a predicament where they "want to throw something away but have nowhere to put it." In fact, around the year 2000, Shibuya's shopping streets briefly reinstated public trash cans for about a year. However, in addition to garbage, people also discarded large items like umbrellas and bicycles, significantly increasing management and collection costs. Ultimately, the ward stopped providing trash cans and instead focused on enhancing street cleaning.

To improve the current situation, Shibuya Ward plans to install SmaGO smart bins by fiscal year 2026. These bins feature an automatic garbage compression function, capable of increasing the original 120-liter capacity by about five times, effectively reducing the frequency of collections.

However, the maintenance costs for smart bins are also not low. Local government estimates suggest that the monthly operational costs for bins alone, including personnel, garbage bags, and waste disposal fees, amount to approximately 1 million yen, making long-term maintenance challenging.

In response, Shibuya Ward Mayor Ken Hasebe stated at a recent ward assembly meeting that the ward will consider placing corporate advertisements on the exterior of the bins in the future, seeking to establish a self-sustaining operational model through advertising revenue and exploring the possibility of long-term bin installation.

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government also announced that starting in June, it will accept applications from local governments and transportation operators for smart bin subsidies, with funding to come from the accommodation tax.

Tokyo is promoting a shift in the accommodation tax from a fixed amount to a system based on a percentage of the accommodation cost, which is expected to increase future tax revenue. The accommodation tax is borne not only by Tokyo residents but also by tourists visiting Tokyo. Therefore, the metropolitan government hopes to use this revenue to improve public services, such as increasing public facilities like trash cans.

Regarding the effectiveness of the penalties, various opinions have been raised. Some individuals believe that the 2,000 yen fine is still too low and that increasing it to 10,000 yen would further enhance its deterrent effect. (Editor: Chen Yen-chun) 0618