Visitors to Japan most frustrated with lack of rubbish bins: Survey

Visitors to Japan have cited the lack of rubbish bins in public areas, including at train stations, as the biggest inconvenience during their trip, a recent government survey showed.

According to the Japan Tourism Agency, the issue was cited by 21.9 per cent of more than 4,000 foreign visitors surveyed at five major airports in the country as their top concern.

The survey was conducted on respondents before leaving New Chitose, Narita, Haneda, Kansai and Fukuoka airports between December 2024 and January 2025.

While the figure improved by about 8 percentage points from the previous year, many of the respondents said that they had to take their rubbish back to their accommodation after failing to find garbage bins.

Japan used to have more rubbish bins in public spaces, but many were removed in recent years partly due to safety concerns after terror attacks in the country, such as the 1995 Tokyo subway sarin gas attack, and abroad, including the 2004 Madrid train bombings, according to experts.

But with the disappearance of most rubbish bins in public areas, littering in tourist spots has become a major public concern.

While rubbish cans installed and maintained by the public sector have vanished in Tokyo, there are trash cans set up and maintained by the private sector, Mr Takemura said.

On other inconveniences, 15.2 percent reported communication issues, such as the inability of staff at restaurants and other facilities to speak English, while 13.1 percent pointed to overcrowding in places such as tourist spots.

Source : https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/visitors-to-japan-most-frustrated-with-lack-of-rubbish-bins-survey

Comprehension

What was the biggest inconvenience cited by foreign visitors to Japan?
What percentage of respondents mentioned this issue?
When and where was the survey conducted?
What did visitors say they had to do because of the lack of rubbish bins?
Why were many public rubbish bins removed in Japan?
What past events contributed to safety concerns around public bins?
What problem has arisen due to the lack of rubbish bins in tourist areas?
Who still provides and maintains some rubbish bins in Tokyo?
Besides the lack of bins, what other issues did tourists face?
What percentage of visitors reported communication problems?

Discussion

Why do you think rubbish bins are important for public cleanliness?
Do you agree with Japan’s decision to remove public bins due to safety? Why or why not?
How would you feel if you had to carry your trash with you all day while sightseeing?
What are some ways Japan could address this issue without compromising security?
Have you ever traveled to a place with similar inconveniences? How did you manage?
Why is communication with staff important when visiting another country?
What can countries do to make tourists feel more comfortable despite language barriers?
How does overcrowding affect the experience of visiting tourist spots?
Should private businesses be responsible for public waste management?
How can tourists themselves help maintain cleanliness in foreign countries?

Vocabulary

Inconvenience – A trouble or difficulty causing discomfort.
Cited – Mentioned or referred to as an example or evidence.
Respondents – People who answer a survey or questionnaire.
Accommodation – A place to stay or live while traveling.
Rubbish bins (trash cans) – Containers for garbage.
Safety concerns – Worries about danger or harm.
Terror attacks – Acts of violence meant to cause fear and harm.
Overcrowding – When too many people are in one place.
Maintained – Kept in good condition or taken care of.
Public sector – The part of a country’s economy that is controlled by the government.