Marine plastic waste in Japan and how we can stop it

Japan is known for its excessive plastic usage. A report by the United Nations Environment Program in 2018 listed Japan as the second highest consumer of single-use plastic in the entire world. Even a short stay in the country makes it abundantly clear why this is. Japanese businesses often wrap products in several layers of plastic. Supermarkets here also use plastic wrapping for products for which other countries don’t, such as certain fruits.

While Japan does have more extensive recycling systems than other nations, not all of its plastic is recycled. The plastic recycle rate is only around 27.8%, and more than 50% of plastic waste is converted back to fuel, with an additional 14% being incinerated with other waste.

The country also has a plastic litter problem and much of the waste that’s not properly disposed of ends up in its surrounding waters. Litter in towns can wash up in local rivers because of rainfall, which is carried to the ocean. This plastic waste wreaks havoc on marine life and environments. Whales and other species consume the plastic, mistaking it for food, which can lead to death. In 2018, a dead juvenile whale washed up on Kanagawa’s shores with a stomach full of plastic. Other species, such as sea turtles, dolphins and birds, can end up with the same fate. Marine life that doesn’t die because of plastic can still end up as food for humans, tainting our own food supplies.

Japan has a good general awareness of the issue. However, a recent survey by the Nippon Foundation showed a gap between the reality and what Japanese people believe are the specific sources of marine plastic pollution. According to the results, 80.9% of respondents are aware that ocean plastic is a serious problem. While the majority knew that pet bottles and plastic shopping bags contribute to marine pollution, respondents were less aware of things like fishing gear and plastic food containers being a large percentage of trash in ocean waters.

There are initiatives to help build awareness and that let people get involved on the local level. For example, the Nippon Foundation runs Umi to Nihon (The Sea and Japan), a project that educates people about ocean-related topics.

Local chapters run events about ocean plastic and organize plastic cleanups. For example, Umi to Nihon in Kanagawa held an event in 2019 that used computer programming to teach parents and children about marine plastic waste. Umi to Nihon in Kagoshima organized a cleanup and education session of microplastics.

The environment is widely interconnected

The issue of marine plastic pollution shows us the importance of taking a closer look at problems that we may only be partly aware of. Certainly, most of us know on some level the damage that plastic waste can cause for ecosystems and wildlife. Yet like the respondents in The Nippon Foundation’s survey, we may be unfamiliar with the details or how our own actions contribute to the problem. Litter on land is a problem in and of itself. However, the fact that much of this waste ends up in our oceans eventually is an example of how issues are interconnected. It also shows that one action can have unintended negative consequences elsewhere in our environment.

The solutions for eradicating ocean waste are multi-faceted. Much of the problem is systemic. To some degree Japanese consumers can’t avoid plastic, given how much of it is used in daily life here. Government regulations and company decisions have a big influence on plastic usage. Regardless, individual actions and group activism can still make progress. Avoiding disposables and properly disposing of waste, in addition to proper education, are important steps on the path to a more sustainable future.