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Shibuya is introducing more rubbish bins and ¥2,000 fines for littering

'If you throw trash, you lose cash' is the Tokyo district’s new motto to address its growing waste problem

Written by
Christopher House
Associate Editor, Time Out Tokyo
Discarded umbrellas at a zebra crossing
Photo: Ryuji, Pixta
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Tired of carrying your rubbish around all day? We've explained before why there are hardly any rubbish bins in Tokyo, but fortunately change is starting now – in Shibuya at least.

The bustling district has announced that as of today, food and beverage retailers in the area are required to install rubbish bins, particularly in the areas around Shibuya Station, Harajuku Station and Ebisu Station. Businesses that violate the new ordinance could be fined ¥50,000.

Life isn't all butterflies and bins, though. Along with the push for more waste receptacles comes a crackdown on littering. Multilingual patrol staff are planned to be on the lookout, and those caught littering will face a ¥2,000 fine, to be collected on the spot.

Though restaurants, supermarkets and the like are already required to begin installing bins as of today, fines for littering won't go into effect until June 1. Regardless, littering is a big no-no, so if you've got rubbish that needs tossing, chuck it in a nearby bin or hold onto it until you get home.

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