Conflicts in a Small Bag - 18 Months of Suginami Plastic Bag Tax (March 2002)

Conflicts in a Small Bag - 18 Months of Suginami Plastic Bag Tax (March 2002)

In March 2002, the first "plastic bag tax" ordinance in Japan was passed in Suginami Ward. The aim of the tax was to reduce waste and raise environmental awareness. However, during the year and a half between the conception of the tax and its implementation, there were heated discussions among the administration, citizens, and merchants. There was widespread concern in the shopping district that it would "drive away customers," and some in the district assembly were concerned about the "increased burden" and "negative impact on distribution. On the other hand, the council members who were proponents of the ordinance persistently persuaded them that "this is the first step toward changing the mindset. In the end, the ordinance was passed by a majority vote, with Mayor Hiroshi Yamada stating at a press conference, "We received more than 70% approval. At the same time the ordinance was passed, a "plastic bag reduction promotion council" was prepared by citizens and merchants, an
d an "eco sticker" system was announced to be distributed to those who declined. This was an epoch-making local environmental purpose tax, and although there were still procedures to be followed to obtain the consent of the national government, this challenge by Suginami Ward became a forerunner that would later spread to environmental policies nationwide. The ordinance concerning a single plastic bag reflected the times of that era.