To what extent does the Japanese cultural value of packaging influence plastic waste in Japan?

Question

For school, I am making a research paper on Japanese packaging. Specifically, I am researching to what extent the Japanese cultural value of packaging influences plastic waste in Japan. To answer that question I am looking at the share of Japanese packaging in Japan and the world's plastic waste, the cultural value that packaging has in Japan, how packaging has changed over the years in Japan and what the reason is for the excessive use of plastic for packaging in Japan.

I would be grateful if you could maybe give me some information about the subject or tell me your point of view on to what extend the Japanese cultural value of packaging influences plastic waste in Japan?

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi there,

This is an excellent question! I can think of a few factors that might affect the cultural view of packaging and plastic waste in Japan.

1. Giving gifts and souvenirs is an important tradition, and there are high standards for packaging in order to show the proper respect and consideration.
2. Presentation and formality are extremely important, and doing things in a detailed and careful way is a way to show respect. Packaging must be perfectly neat with great attention to detail, especially if it is a gift. For example, boxes of sweets will first be individually packaged, then laid out neatly with ample space around them in a molded insert inside a box, which is then wrapped in paper. This may further be wrapped in gift wrap at the store and placed in a shopping bag.
3. Cleanliness and tidiness are extremely important with emphasis on the appearance of cleanliness. Single-use plastics are seen as a preferable, modern alternative to reusable cleaning supplies and household items. A single-use item can be used and thrown away, whereas multi-use items like kitchen cloths and rags become dingy over time. Also, Japanese homes are generally much smaller than Western homes and have little storage space, so any regularly used items often have to be on full display at all times. Having dingy kitchen cloths would make the space look dirty, even if it isn't.
4. As Japan modernized, using old-fashioned reusable items such as rags became undesirable, while using modern, efficient items such as plastic became trendy and a sign of financial security.
5. Reusable food storage never became very popular in Japan, possible because a) eating leftovers isn't really part of traditional culture, or b) there's a lack of storage space as mentioned above. Plastic wrap, however, is very popular for any leftovers that they do have.
6. Japanese people have busy work schedules and small kitchens. Relatively healthy, ready-to-eat food is readily available in convenience stores, and this all comes in plastic packaging.
7. Traditional Japanese meals have many components. At home, it's common to partly use prepackaged food or to use plastic wrap over a bowl in the microwave to cook part of the meal. Since kitchens are small, this is considered an efficient life hack.
8. Public areas are kept very clean, with most people taking their trash home with them instead of littering or searching for public trash cans. Community clean-up events are also common, and many people feel they are contributing to cleanliness and a healthy environment in this way.
9. Japan is rich in natural beauty, with approximately 70% being wooded mountains. The water is clean, and though you may learn about environmental damage in school, for most people it is not relevant to their daily surroundings.

Overall, it might be said that plastic packaging is seen as a modern, effective way to preserve the cleanliness of the home and community, while the environmental effects of plastic waste are less relevant to daily life and cultural standards. Of course this is all anecdotal from my personal experience, but it may give you ideas for further research. I hope your paper turns out well!