The benefits of walking in green spaces are not limited to physical health. Studies show that access to green space enables an enhanced opportunity to connect with nature, improving one’s mental health. This is especially the case during the...
Single-use containers are one of the fundamental causes of waste, and yet we still find them everywhere in our daily life. American company Loop is addressing waste through collaboration with retailers and manufacturers by promoting packaging day-to...
Japan is a disaster-prone country, with tragic ones including the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011 and the Kumamoto earthquakes in 2016. The immediate aftermath of an earthquake, tsunami or other disasters can be deadly and claim many lives...
As a growing trend, many are curious to learn how to adopt a sustainable lifestyle. However, sustainable living is not a new concept in Japan. Here, it takes form in the practice of the concept of “mottanai.” In the Japanese language...
What do you do with an old smartphone that you have replaced? What do you do to ensure your data remains private? To be honest, I’ve kept two old smartphones in the corner of my storeroom for years. I don’t mean to hoard e-waste...
[Because of the rise in COVID-19 cases and the declaration of an emergency state, some areas are not calling for participants for the march. Please refer to the local social network accounts for the latest updates on their statuses.] An Emergency...
Let’s have a look at a circular-minded restaurant in Finland. Nolla, meaning zero in Finnish, is motivated to provide high-quality, in-season food while pursuing a zero-waste ideology. Since opening in March 2018, Nolla has been ensuring all aspects...
The Big Issue Japan, a social magazine sold by homeless people on the streets, is now taking up the issue of food waste by running a bakery that only opens at night. Yoru no Panya-san (Night-time Bakery) procures leftover bread from popular bakeries...
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, roughly 30% of food is wasted globally each year. Food waste occurs at various points in the food supply chain, including during production, retail and consumption. On...
Mental health is every bit as important for our well-being as physical health. Yet, there can be unfortunate stigmas, shame and misunderstandings regarding the issue. This is true everywhere but especially in Japan, and it can affect Japanese and...