While living in Shanghai I witnessed a startling transformation in the usage of plastic shopping bags. The Shanghai local government required that all retailers charge for any plastic bag they had previously given away free to customers. Giving away a bag free of charge would result in a large fine to the retailer. There was an overnight drop in the quantity of bags used in Shanghai. Japan appears to be a very different story with plasitc bags everywhere though to be fair the amount of recycling that takes place is commendable. Read this article about how a tax impose in Ireland changed habits and then discuss whether you think such a move would work in Japan. Comment on this blog. You might like give you comment a “snappier” title than mine!
Some stores in Japan, such as Co-op takes a 5 yen fee for using plastic bags. The only problem with this is they do not charge it at the register, they expect the customers to be responsible and honest about paying the 5 yen per plastic bag. This taxation system may work in many other countries, but since Japan is so lenient about this problem/situation, it may not work in Japan. But as Kana said in her comment, Japanese people use plastic bags very often, so even if they made a strict taxation system, I think Japanese people would still use plastic bags.
I personally think that the use of plastic bags are already an important culture in Japan. They use it to shop, to throw away garbage, to put in random stuff, etc. Taxation can slightly work but not that much. Only a little. Japanese people use it daily, so no matter what, they would never stop getting plastic bags. There is a point-card system in various shops, and when they refuse to get a plastic bag, they can earn points. These points can be turned to discount tickets, and those attract Japanese people more. Maybe the use of more point-cards can support the reduction of plastic bags.
Taxation would work in Japan, but I don’t think it’s needed. As Avu said, using the idea that Japanese will fall to social pressre is very effective. People will naturally stop using plastic bags as campaigns appear. However, some customers may complain about taxation. In Korea, people hated paying for plastic bags at first, but now it’s common to bring their own shopping bags.
Personally, I believe that taxation in Japan would not work. In supermarkets and stores, the people at the counters always ask the customers if they want bags. Plastic bags are something that are not really commonly used in Japan. People often bring their own shopping bags to stores. With not many people using them, there is not really a point to put tax upon plastic bags in Japan.
As Avu had mentioned above, social pressure would be a more effective incentive for Japanese people than small taxes on the plastic bags. With well-planned campaigns and perhaps a small tax on the plastic bags, I believe that plastic bags could be (almost) completely eradicated from the face of Japan.
I do not think that taxation on plastic bags will have the same effect in Japan than in Ireland; plastic bags seem to be a important part of Japanese society, people rely on them a lot. The demand for plastic bag may drop after taxation, but not immediately; I think it will fall gradually.
I agree with Avu. Taxation in Japan can be a possibility, but it is unlikely to work. Currently prime minister Hatoyama and his party are thinking about increasing taxes on cigarette in order to stop further increase of the smoking population, but there are many politicians who strongly disagree to this. In order to change habits in Japan, it is a necessity that we change people’s views towards plastic bags. (Though not too much that “it annoys the hell out of {them}” when seen)
Away from the comfort zone!
Although it is very hard for anyone to change their old habit, especially when they are forced to pay some amount of cash on top of the difficulty, I think this is a good idea. Once the consumers buy a bag large and durable enough, they won’t have to worry about paying that small amount of cash.
This is just a thought: If you buy a smaller bag and go to a department store, I think you will most likely shop less. I mean, if you buy too much, you will have no other choice than to buy those plastic bags to place extra goods that you just bought, that does not fit into your bag, or how else will you carry them home? I suppose if you drive, you won’t have to worry about carrying cumbersome goods, but you will have to get straight out of that store to place all of them safely into your car. And if the path between the parking lot and the store is icy, I hope you won’t trip! (and break them.)
So back to what I was supposed to answer. Yes, I think this could work, definitely in Japan. I agree with Avu, but also in Japan, like any other nation in this economy, people are willing to save even a bit. I believe there is a Japanese saying that (although probably translated poorly), even a small dusts can make a mountain with time. In here, this proverb could mean that even saving couple of yen can easily add up to 100 yen. (Opportunity cost!) Instead of buying bags which you will soon throw away after use, you can now buy something that you can keep and hold onto, with the money you did not use on the bags.
In my opinion, taxation would work in Japan, but it wouldn’t have to. Japan is a more, for lack of a better word, trendy society, and people will likely fall to social pressure rather than economic pressure. While taxes will make a small dent, campaigning and propagating the idea that plastic bags are socially unacceptable will be much more effective.