A Japanese upcycling project is transforming a traditional byproduct into a tool for culinary needs. Soy sauce lees, the residual paste left after extracting soy sauce, are being repurposed as smoking material, offering an upcyling method to reuse...
Niimi Solar Company has been tackling the pressing environmental challenge by developing a pioneering solution for the recycling of decommissioned solar panels. The company has patents for its thermal decomposition apparatus, which uses superheated...
Japan’s seaweed farming is gaining attention for its vital potential in combating climate change. As a candidate of “blue carbon,” seaweed is a naturally stored form of carbon in coastal ecosystems, as a means to reduce atmospheric carbon...
Earth Hour 2025 is here to inspire change again on 22 March, and Japan will see a a number of events across the country to remind us of the urgent issues of climate change and biodiversity protection. The official Earth Hour 2025 campaign is led by...
Japan is seeing an increase in foreign arrivals, including a surge in refugee status applicants. Many struggle due to a lack of residency status, making them ineligible for essential services like health insurance and work permits. This pushes them...
The concepts of mottainai and zero waste form a powerful pair against the detrimental convention of mass consumption. Zero waste is a movement to reduce waste and re-evaluate our consumerist lifestyle, and having a sense of mottainai cultivates the...
As renewable energy rapidly expands worldwide, solar power has gained prominence alongside established sources like hydropower and wind energy. By the end of 2021, solar power capacity surpassed 900 GW while wind power exceeded 800 GW, both...
Wabi-sabi is a Japanese aesthetic that finds beauty in imperfection, impermanence, and the natural cycle of growth and decay. You can find in it the weathered surface of an old wooden temple, the worn leather of a favourite chair that becomes softer...
Kunio Yanagita’s concept of “Hare” and “Ke” is a key idea in Japanese folklore studies and cultural anthropology. It explains the contrast between special moments and daily routines in traditional Japanese life. The...
Upsoil Company Inc. is contributing to the circular economy for gardening with “upsoil” and “Circular Soil,” two products designed to make soil recycling easy, reduce waste, and promote sustainable practices. The inspiration...