Voices
in
Japan

have your say

Tokyo Metro Co has removed all trash cans from its station premises and other rail operators are moving to do the same for security reasons. What do you think of this trend?

36 Comments

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

36 Comments
Login to comment

I haven’t seen garbage cans at my local station since 9/11

11 ( +11 / -0 )

What is this? Is this a reprint from March/April 1995?

Teach cans were removed from the metro/subways right after the Sarin gas attacks and as far as I have seen were never put back.

12 ( +14 / -2 )

I'm not lugging my garbage around, so The trains themselves have become my new garbage bin.

-5 ( +13 / -18 )

The rats and cockroaches are celebrating. Anyway, the reason cited is not not true. They don't want to conduct proper waste collection for cost and labour reasons and are making up an excuse.

The govt and regulators should force the corporations to conduct this essential service on the grounds of public hygiene.

15 ( +19 / -4 )

I'm not lugging my garbage around, so The trains themselves have become my new garbage bin.

Wow someone thinks they are special!

It is your trash thus your responsibility.

I do hope you don't do any outdoor activities like camping and fishing because no one wants to see your garbage while out in nature.

5 ( +16 / -11 )

The govt and regulators should force the corporations to conduct this essential service on the grounds of public hygiene.

Why? Because some people are to lazy to just bring their garbage home and throw it away?

Both my now adult children were raise after the Sarin gas attacks.

It has been common to bring home any garbage and they still do like most Japanese.

The only ones that leave their garbage in the train station on trains or outside are uneducated and self-centered.

-3 ( +10 / -13 )

This has nothing to do with security but EVERYTHING to do with saving money on trash disposal. JR used to have a facility in Oifuto just to deal with the empty cans froim Yamanote line stations. Now long gone.

17 ( +20 / -3 )

On a security side, this is good, but the most likely terror attack Japan will see are lone nutters attacking people with knives, the worst of which would be a chemical attack by some cult group. Considering how difficult obtaining explosives and dangerous chemicals are in Japan, I think this is a bit too far. It is quite inconvenient to say the least. There are already so few trash cans in public places, what's next?

11 ( +12 / -1 )

I would be interested in knowing what the Japanese think of this?

Seeing all the comments up to now are from non Japanese that seem to hate the idea they are responsible for their own trash.

-8 ( +7 / -15 )

Aum Shinrikyo.

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

worst of which would be a chemical attack by some cult group. Considering how difficult obtaining explosives and dangerous chemicals are in Japan, I think this is a bit too far. 

Aahhh March 20 1995 ring any bells?

I can go out today and buy everything needed to make a poison gas or even and explosive at any major DIY/large construction supply store.

Oh. They would be primitive, unstable but very dangerous all the same.

This notion that dangerous material and chemicals are not easily available in Japan is false.

Oh sometimes certain things need permits but even those are easily obtained.

But the best thing that comes from no trash cans is that people think before buying stuff if they know they will have to lug around the trash for the rest of the day.

-8 ( +3 / -11 )

But why in Tokyo? 

March 20 1995, I was supposed to be on the Hibiya train that morning as usual with my neighbour who worked for the Subway.

I got delayed due to a call from my mother back home

My friend and neighbour died that day.

Does that answer as to why Tokyo?

-10 ( +7 / -17 )

Doesn’t make so much sense, as the potential security risks are only distributed to other locations then, a coin locker, train or station toilet, the garbage can in a nearby convenience store , return slots of vending machines all around and a lot more places to place a potential threat instead. In contrary, those easy accessible and visible garbage cans would make it easier to patrol, control or let a shepherd dog sniffing at in short intervals and make the most probable catches early.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

Since it’s also cheaper for the transportation companies, I am sure they are more than happy to do it.

In Osaka there’s large garbage cans everywhere in the metro and train system. I do see staff checking them for suspicious items as well. Kind of a trashy job, so it must be seen as difficult to always do.

6 ( +9 / -3 )

Providing trash cans in train stations is a duty, and that includes trash cans in public parks, as a duty that civic society requires, pays taxes for, and expects. JR's flimsy excuses to remove the bins, greatly inconveniencing its patrons, are self-serving. Will they reduce train fares now that they no longer provide this service? Other countries are certainly managing. Hopefully, this disgraceful tendency will reverse. The sarin gas attacks that started this removal of bins are long in the past. Come on, Japan, get with it.

7 ( +11 / -4 )

no ragbage bins-no need for cleaning of it-no terrorism?

as simple as is.

bring your rubbish with you at home?

how abt they will move vending machines for drinks too?

these are taking space and-yes,may be used by terrorists as well!

hey railway "geniuses" its time to act!/irony off/

-4 ( +3 / -7 )

non Japanese that seem to hate the idea they are responsible for their own trash.

The Japanese companies that wrap several layers of packaging, most of which I don't need or want, around their products are mainly responsible. Japanese train stations are filled with retailers selling heavily wrapped products. The retailers pay the station operators money to lease that space. Both make money from us customers in the arrangement. Thus, they can pay to manage the waste produced through the arrangement they have established for themselves.

9 ( +14 / -5 )

I remember when Kita Senju blocked off its garbage bins a few years ago because the G-8 was in town.

A long way from Kita Senju, but this kind of performative display of security was seen as important.

All it achieved was a huge pile of One-Cup Sake jars and empty Strong Zero cans piled up next to the bins, into which any determined terrorist could have sneaked a device.

I thought it was a great demonstration of the Spirit of the Japanese worker.

You may dominate my days with pointless meetings and interrupt my evenings and weekends with busybody nonsense, but you will only take my evening beverage from my cold, dead hand.

2 ( +9 / -7 )

Get ready to see the recycle can/bottle bins next to vending machines start overflowing with even more burnable garbage. That's always what ends up happening.

6 ( +11 / -5 )

What do you think of this trend?

Another desperate money-saving scheme masquerading as a concern for security. No soap, no hot water, no hand driers, no rubbish bins, fewer trains, fewer kiosks etc etc.

9 ( +13 / -4 )

Sounds like a very profitable move, Tokyo Metro shareholders will be pleased.

"Safety" hahaha, sure.

-1 ( +4 / -5 )

The stations still have kiosks and vending machines selling people stuff in packaging destined for the garbage. They should provide trash cans to account for this.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

I think I'm gonna have trash in pockets for longer... unless I get rid of it at the recycle cans for plastic bottles and cans. Which I normally do if I don't find a trash can.

2 ( +5 / -3 )

Just sad and depressed by the message, i.e. that the world is gradually being made more and more inconvenient, because of the of the unbalanced few with some self-centered agenda.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Edit, please read without the extra 'of the' above. Thank you.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

People are mistaken here. This is not related to terror attack, rather with cleanliness and hygiene.

People should be taking their litters back home and empty in proper bins. With bins everywhere, it will be expensive and difficult to sort out the recycle procedure.

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

Most of the “recycle” stuff ends up in the incinerators anyway. It’s the era of facade.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Not enough people buying plastic bag at the cashier ? So have to motivate them : you pay 5 yens for a plastic bag where you can safely put your trash them carry it and look like considerate or you put your trash in your pocket/bag and look like a dirty one.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Assinine move motivated by greed, without a shred of real concern for safety.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites