[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.