[okonomiyaki3000]

In Japan, they're not banned but there's an extra 2 or 3 yen charge if you want one. This charge amounts to just about nothing but it was enough to get almost everyone to switch to "eco bags". I suppose it's not the "savings" of a couple yen here and there that motivated people to use their own bags but simply the awareness that there was something of an expectation that they would bring their own. Prior to this, you might have looked a bit eccentric bringing your own bag to carry your groceries in but now it's just normal and Japanese love nothing more than being normal.

[Danieru]

Indeed, it also normalized walking out of a store bagless while holding your purchase. I like it. I don't like when I ask for no bag, and the combini charges for one anyway.

With that said, Japan never had a litter problem. Likewise our garbage system is highly developed with waste to energy using high temp incinerators. The ban-charge-requirement never could have had an environmental aspect. But if it can reduce oil imports, that's worth doing.

[tmm84]

I've personally got more attached to receipts here in Japan since I refuse to pay for any plastic bags (I carry an eco bag in my backpack for big stuff). I just put my purchase in my backpack with a receipt just in case.

I don't know if it helps much because everything in Japan is wrapped in plastic it seems.