Why Japan Has So Few Public Bins
Sunday, September 27, 2026113 words2 minutes270 reads
Tokyo's streets can look very clean, but public rubbish bins can be hard to find. Visitors may carry cups and snack wrappers for a long time. Japan did not always have so few bins.
In March 1995, a group released sarin gas on three Tokyo Metro lines. After the attack, authorities closed or removed many bins for security. A bin could hide something dangerous.
Clean streets do not come from security alone. Cities have used anti-litter campaigns, public education and street cleaning for years. Many people also try not to cause inconvenience to others. They often take rubbish home or wait until they find a safe bin, such as one at a station.
