Japan's household waste volume fell to a record low of 38.11 million tons in fiscal 2024 (ending March 2025), according to a government survey released Friday. This figure is down from the previous record low of 38.25 million tons in fiscal 2023.
The decline is largely due to Japan's continuing population decline and aging demographics, along with the adoption of waste collection fees by many local governments. Analysts say the fees have encouraged residents to reduce waste, limit unnecessary consumption, and increase recycling.
The survey includes waste from households and small-scale businesses but excludes industrial waste. The Japanese government views this as a positive sign as it moves toward a carbon-neutral society and seeks to reduce environmental impact.
