Litterbugs in Tokyo’s bustling Shibuya district will now be fined 2,000 yen ($13; £9) on the spot, as new penalties take effect amid Japan’s ongoing tourism surge.
The fine system launched Monday in Shibuya Ward, a major commercial and entertainment hub famous for its scramble crossing. In certain areas, authorities are also penalising food and drink shop operators who fail to install waste bins, reports BBC.
Japan welcomed a record 42.7 million foreign visitors in 2025, and the government is working to ease the strain that the tourism boom has placed on local communities. According to public broadcaster NHK, officials have noted a growing number of people – including foreign tourists – openly drinking and littering around Shibuya.
As part of the anti-littering campaign, those caught throwing trash will be fined immediately, with payment accepted via cash, credit card, or QR code. Up to 50 officials will patrol neighborhoods to enforce the fines.
“We cannot tolerate littering simply because there are no rubbish bins,” Shibuya Ward authorities said in a statement. “We ask for your cooperation in creating a city where everyone can enjoy themselves comfortably.”
Rubbish bins are notoriously scarce in Japan, partly due to security concerns following past terror attacks at home and abroad. In a government survey last year, the lack of public trash bins was ranked as the biggest inconvenience for tourists, cited by over 20% of roughly 4,000 foreign visitors.
Tourism has surged in post-pandemic Japan, fueled by a weak yen and heavy social media interest. However, the massive influx is straining the country’s urban infrastructure and local populations.
In Fujiyoshida, near Mount Fuji, tourism has led to chronic traffic jams, litter, and disruption to residents’ daily lives. Authorities there even canceled the town’s famous cherry blossom festival this year, citing unmanageable tourist numbers.
To tackle overtourism, the Japanese government has introduced various measures, including higher taxes on international tourists and crowd-control apps that provide real-time updates on congestion levels in popular areas.
