Child abuse is a problem worldwide and comes in many forms, including violence and neglect. The World Health Organization estimates that around one billion children have experienced some form of abuse in the past year. This abuse is not only...
One in seven Japanese children live in poverty today. The negative effects of this on both individual and societal level are enormous. Children in need find it difficult if not impossible to break the cycle of poverty and improve their life...
Japanese souvenirs are an important part of the culture. However, the word “omiyage” has a slightly different nuance in Japanese than the English word souvenir. English speakers typically think of souvenirs as something that we buy for ourselves...
Packaging is one of the great conveniences of modern life. Plastic and other materials can be used for product packages to make shipping and distribution easier. Waste from these packages can cause great damage to the environment, however. Plastic...
It is estimated that around 1.3 billion tons of food worldwide is wasted annually. The exact causes differ in each country, with food waste in developing nations happening in the production and storage stages. In affluent countries, however, food...
What is upcycling? Upcycling is the concept of taking old products and using them for new purposes, or as materials in entirely new products. This is in contrast to recycling, which is the process of breaking down and reusing the base materials. A...
Japan has its strong and weak points regarding eco-friendliness and sustainability. The country is home to several initiatives and programs for building a better future. At the same time, Japan is infamous for its excessive plastic usage. It is the...
Technology shapes the way we live. This is especially true over the past couple of decades with the advent of the internet. Being connected gives us countless conveniences. It is now easier than ever to use our smartphones to connect with others...
Creating a more sustainable society and economy takes time, effort and planning. Thankfully, Japan has several initiatives towards this goal. In May, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry announced “Industrial Technology Vision 2020.” It is a...
Significant action against climate change is required in order to avoid the worst of its effects. According to a 2018 report by the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, we have to reduce our carbon emissions to zero by...