5 ms·

Japan's very low number of public trash cans isn't just because of this "tradition and culture of courtesy and bringing trash home". It is also a direct result

Japan's very low number of public trash cans isn't just because of this "tradition and culture of courtesy and bringing trash home". It is also a direct result of a Sarin gas terrorism attack that hit the Tokyo subway system in 1995, whereupon some of the weaponry was deposited in a public trash can. Afterwards, the number of public trash cans was dramatically reduced. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarin_gas_attack_on_the_Tokyo_subway https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarin_gas_attack_on_the_Tokyo_... Source: Friend who grew up in Tokyo and was 10 years old when the attacks happened. He was using one of the attacked subway lines regularly.

ekianjo 12y ago
> It is also a direct result of a Sarin gas terrorism attack that hit the Tokyo subway system in 1995, Precisely, the author is just plain ignorant. By the way the same thing happened in France after the metro bombinga.
- Semiapies 12y ago
  And in the UK after enough IRA bombs in wastebins.
  - oneeyedpigeon 12y ago
    And, of course, getting rid of wastebins in the UK hasn't stopped bombings altogether, but it has made it frustratingly difficult to dispose of your litter (I do happen to always take mine with me anyway, but evidence suggests plenty of people don't). Much better - and in use in sensible locations - is a simple transparent bin/bag. Why they're not in use in more places, I'm not sure.
    - ekianjo 12y ago
      > is a simple transparent bin/bag It's been the standard in Paris for a while now. It has its own problems, though (bags breaking, making litter spill all around...)
    - qq66 12y ago
      When I lived in the UK (2002-2003) I was told that its perfectly acceptable to leave your litter on the train platform against the wall as there are people who regularly come by to clear it. Is this still true?
      - diroussel 12y ago
        Yes that's right. There are no bins in the statition but there are often cleaners. Still if you can take your rubbish with you that makes for a nicer looking train station.
      - oneeyedpigeon 12y ago
        I've never heard that. It's certainly 'acceptable' to leave litter on the train at the final stop, but other than that I think pretty much all littering is approached with typical British sensibilities - we frown on it, from afar.
  - dingaling 12y ago
    > And in the UK after enough IRA bombs in wastebins. But bizarrely not in Northern Ireland... bins galore when I was growing-up.
- gutnor 12y ago
  And again after 9/11. In lot of places you can still see the bins, but there are shut by concrete or steel plates.
notastartup 12y ago
that event still sends shudders because it was so bizarre.
- hkmurakami 12y ago
  Yup, still remember watching the news with my parents and not really truly understanding the ramifications. Yet despite my lack of comprehension, it has left a mark.

ekianjo 12y ago

> It is also a direct result of a Sarin gas terrorism attack that hit the Tokyo subway system in 1995, Precisely, the author is just plain ignorant. By the way the same thing happened in France after the metro bombinga.

Semiapies 12y ago
And in the UK after enough IRA bombs in wastebins.
- oneeyedpigeon 12y ago
  And, of course, getting rid of wastebins in the UK hasn't stopped bombings altogether, but it has made it frustratingly difficult to dispose of your litter (I do happen to always take mine with me anyway, but evidence suggests plenty of people don't). Much better - and in use in sensible locations - is a simple transparent bin/bag. Why they're not in use in more places, I'm not sure.
  - ekianjo 12y ago
    > is a simple transparent bin/bag It's been the standard in Paris for a while now. It has its own problems, though (bags breaking, making litter spill all around...)
  - qq66 12y ago
    When I lived in the UK (2002-2003) I was told that its perfectly acceptable to leave your litter on the train platform against the wall as there are people who regularly come by to clear it. Is this still true?
    - diroussel 12y ago
      Yes that's right. There are no bins in the statition but there are often cleaners. Still if you can take your rubbish with you that makes for a nicer looking train station.
    - oneeyedpigeon 12y ago
      I've never heard that. It's certainly 'acceptable' to leave litter on the train at the final stop, but other than that I think pretty much all littering is approached with typical British sensibilities - we frown on it, from afar.
- dingaling 12y ago
  > And in the UK after enough IRA bombs in wastebins. But bizarrely not in Northern Ireland... bins galore when I was growing-up.
gutnor 12y ago
And again after 9/11. In lot of places you can still see the bins, but there are shut by concrete or steel plates.

notastartup 12y ago

that event still sends shudders because it was so bizarre.

hkmurakami 12y ago
Yup, still remember watching the news with my parents and not really truly understanding the ramifications. Yet despite my lack of comprehension, it has left a mark.