Tropicana May-June 2023 #148 The Passion Issue

TROPICANA MAGAZINE
49
Japan
Sustainability has been a fundamental part of Japanese society since the ancient Edo period when resources
were limited. As a result, the Japanese take excellent care of whatever they own, leading them to become
a waste-free society. With roughly ten different categories of recyclables, the recycling system in the
country is one of the best in the world. Furthermore, Japan recycles approximately 84 percent of its plastic
garbage, one of the highest ratios in the world. In Japanese philosophy, there is no natural or constructed
environment; there is only nature. This is a major reason why the Japanese are so good at making the most
of limited resources and recycling what they can. The public transportation system is also very efficient
that driving is not necessary. Almost everyone, from the janitor to the CEO, takes the train to work. Every
year, Japan reduces its carbon emissions by millions of tonnes because of this common practice.