SoraNews24 —Japan News—
Bringing you yesterday's news from Japan and Asia, today.
Featured
- Weird
- Studio Ghibli
- Jobs
environmental issues
KFC swaps straws for new drinking lids at all stores in Japan
- Oona McGee
Jun 7, 2024 - Tweet
Sayonara, straws — a newly designed lid is set to replace you all.
- Japan
- (COK • environment • environmental issues • environmentally friendly • fast food • KFC • KFC Japan • plastic • reusable straws • SNJO • straws)
Japan’s newest vending machine absorbs CO2 from the environment
- Oona McGee
May 17, 2023
Eco-friendly system turns vending machines into metallic trees.
- Japan
- (Asahi • carbon dioxide • carbon neutral • clean environment • cool • drinks • eco • ecological • environment • environmental issues • environmentally friendly • Japanese vending machines • marketing • news • technology • vending machine • vending machines)
Garbage-collecting samurai keep Japanese streets clean, but what’s their real story?
- Oona McGee
Feb 5, 2023
We sit down with the environmentally conscious Gomihiroi Samurai to find out what they’re really about.
- Japan
- (COK • cool • environment • environmental issues • Funabashi • garbage • Harajuku • interview • performance art • samurai • Shibuya • SNJO • streets • Tokyo streets • trash)
No more plastic cups — Starbucks Japan aims to get rid of plastic in stores with new initiatives
- Katie Pask
Mar 28, 2022
Coffee giant proposes four new initiatives to reduce plastic waste.
- Japan
- (drinks • eco • environmental issues • fast food • plastic waste • recycle • reusable cups • single-use plastics • Starbucks • Starbucks Japan)
Starbucks waste reduction initiative to start in Tokyo: borrow a cup, use it, then return it
- Katy Kelly
Nov 21, 2021
Take your cup home, then hand it back in at any participating Starbucks café.
- Japan
- (eco • environmental issues • Re&Go • recycling • reusable cups • Starbucks • Starbucks Japan • Tokyo)
Uniqlo Japan will pay you for your old clothes with new recycling project Re:Uniqlo
- Shannon
Oct 23, 2021
You know what’s even better than buying Heat Tech? Recycling your Heat Tech.
The pros and cons of Starbucks Japan’s new reusable straws
- Oona McGee
Mar 19, 2021
Convenient design or more of a hassle than they’re worth?
- Japan
- (cute • drinks • eco • environmental issues • environmentally friendly • Frappuccino • Frappuccinos • Japanese Frappuccinos • reusable straws • Starbucks • Starbucks Japan • straws)
Starbucks starts selling cute reusable straws in Japan
- Oona McGee
Mar 18, 2021
Looking after the environment while looking after your need for the perfect Frappuccino straw.
- Japan
- (cute • drinks • eco • environmental issues • environmentally friendly • Frappuccino • Frappuccinos • Japanese Frappuccinos • reusable straws • Starbucks • Starbucks Japan • straws)
New environmental regulations considered for Seto Inland Sea because it has become “too pretty”
- Ingrid Tsai
Nov 2, 2020
That’s one way to sum up the situation.
- Japan
- (conservation • environment • environmental issues • government • marine biology • red tide • Seto Inland Sea)
Japanese student criticised for campaign against excess plastic packaging
- Oona McGee
Jul 23, 2020
Some people in Japan just don’t want to part ways with individually wrapped candy.
- Japan
- (bourbon • candy • chocolates • environment • environmental issues • food • japanese snacks • Kameda Seika • petitions • plastic • plastic waste • rice crackers • snacks)
Tokyo Governor joins Piko Taro for new version of PPAP 【Video】
- Oona McGee
May 29, 2017
The surprising collaboration aims to draw attention to a new environmental initiative.
- Japan
- (electricity • environmental issues • government • Kosaka Daimaou • LED • Pen-Pineapple-Appe-Pen • piko taro • politicians • politics • ppap • Tokyo Metropolitan Government • Yuriko Koike)
Hong Kong Tourism Board resorts to some unusual tactics to get around China’s smog problem
- Andrew Miller
Sep 7, 2013
As many of you may be aware, China has had some serious pollution problems in recent years with contamination spreading far and wide, affecting people’s health and everyday lifestyles. With all this negative publicity, it is of no surprise that China’s tourism industry has seen a decline in visitors to the country.
However, the Hong Kong Tourism Board has come up with a rather clever and, shall we say, peculiar scheme that guarantees to get rid of the smog, at least for all the tourists who want to capture a special photo for the occasion. It comes in the form of a picturesque banner of the Hong Kong landscape that is substituted for the real, polluted background. It’s just a case of standing in front of it, saying cheese and you’re done. Granted the picture may look good but it still doesn’t solve the actual problem of pollution.
Read More
-
Recent Posts
- Thief mails 460 million-yen watch back to Tokyo store he stole it from, says “I’m sorry”
- This is Japan’s best cycling course, but is it fun for bicycling beginners too?
- Mr. Sato searches for the mysterious new wall of fortune in Tokyo
- Starbucks Japan releases now Tokyo Reserve Roastery Christmas drinkware collection [Photos]
- Japanese government announces criteria for creating backup capital of Japan
-
MOST POPULAR
- Today
- Weekly
- Monthly
- Yearly
Today
Japan ends tax-free shopping system for foreign tourists, new refund request system now in effect
Beautiful Ghibli diorama kits lets you build anime characters’ homes inside yours [Photos]
Starbucks Japan releases now Tokyo Reserve Roastery Christmas drinkware collection [Photos]
Japanese government announces criteria for creating backup capital of Japan
Japan’s TeamLab digital art group is opening a permanent museum in America
This hot spring near Osaka’s Kansai Airport resolves the pick-two-out-of-three bathhouse dilemma
Mr. Sato searches for the mysterious new wall of fortune in Tokyo
Japan’s mini Shikoku Pilgrimage walking tour left us feeling immensely satisfied
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Tokyo Skytree set to offer breathtaking Diamond Fuji natural phenomenon view this month
Weekly
Japan’s TeamLab digital art group is opening a permanent museum in America
Japan ends tax-free shopping system for foreign tourists, new refund request system now in effect
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods for 2026, with exclusive holiday surprises
Beautiful Ghibli diorama kits lets you build anime characters’ homes inside yours [Photos]
Life-size Monster Hunter dragon statues to be built at Japanese shopping mall
Studio Ghibli homeware brand’s faux oil lamp brings light, smiles, and Kiki’s Jiji to your home
Modern exosuits are opening up ancient Japanese castle climbs to everyone
Evangelion announces collaboration with Hard Rock Cafe
Starbucks Japan releases “Let’s Par-TEA!” Frappuccino and drinks for the holiday season
Cold Stone is closing its final branch in all of east Japan, but it’s going down singing
Monthly
Pokémon Company announces first-ever permanent Pokémon store to open outside Asia
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
What’s it like to stay in a Japanese container hotel?
Japan’s TeamLab digital art group is opening a permanent museum in America
Chainsaw robots helping keep trains running safely in east Japan [Video]
New Studio Ghibli anime gets extended run at the only cinema in Japan where it’s being shown
Tokyo train station will play Godzilla theme song as new departure melody
Osaka’s famous Glico Running Man will be removed and replaced with a new-look sign
Studio Ghibli creates illustrated Kyoto sightseeing map, available at any 7-Eleven Japan store
Japan ends tax-free shopping system for foreign tourists, new refund request system now in effect
Yearly
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
-
RECOMMENDED STORIES
This hot spring near Osaka’s Kansai Airport resolves the pick-two-out-of-three bathhouse dilemma
Mr. Sato searches for the mysterious new wall of fortune in Tokyo
Japan’s mini Shikoku Pilgrimage walking tour left us feeling immensely satisfied
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Tokyo Skytree set to offer breathtaking Diamond Fuji natural phenomenon view this month
This is Japan’s best cycling course, but is it fun for bicycling beginners too?
Starbucks Japan invites us to par-tea with its new Earl Gray Frappuccino [Taste test]
Thief mails 460 million-yen watch back to Tokyo store he stole it from, says “I’m sorry”
This semi-secret, totally free footbath in downtown Tokyo is completely awesome
Evangelion announces collaboration with Hard Rock Cafe
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods for 2026, with exclusive holiday surprises
Pokémon guitars from Fender Japan come with 8-bit sound mode for covering retro game music [Vid]
Life-size Monster Hunter dragon statues to be built at Japanese shopping mall
Shoplifting prevention guard arrested for shoplifting boot from store he was guarding
-
-
Categories
Categories Select Category Africa (33) Anime & Manga (193) Art (64) Australia (42) C America (9) C Asia (17) Canada (59) Cats (72) China (847) Culture (180) Cute (187) Entertainment (248) Europe (345) FN24 (1) Food & Drink (314) Games & Tech (167) Global (1,073) India (11) Internet (2,198) Italy (13) Japan (34,546) Korea (375) Lifestyle (76) Mexico (6) Music (12) N Asia (4) New Zealand (11) News (61) North Korea (72) Oceania (10) Russia (56) S America (33) S Asia (66) SE Asia (378) Space (2) Taiwan (203) UK (18) Uncategorized (19) USA (978) W Asia (25)
-
Archives
Archives Select Month November 2026 (15) October 2026 (144) September 2026 (156) August 2026 (174) July 2026 (197) June 2026 (174) May 2026 (138) April 2026 (142) March 2026 (150) February 2026 (124) January 2026 (138) December 2025 (136) November 2025 (136) October 2025 (151) September 2025 (154) August 2025 (143) July 2025 (158) June 2025 (165) May 2025 (162) April 2025 (181) March 2025 (157) February 2025 (127) January 2025 (139) December 2024 (148) November 2024 (149) October 2024 (153) September 2024 (154) August 2024 (158) July 2024 (156) June 2024 (150) May 2024 (166) April 2024 (150) March 2024 (157) February 2024 (169) January 2024 (159) December 2023 (165) November 2023 (166) October 2023 (166) September 2023 (173) August 2023 (183) July 2023 (171) June 2023 (180) May 2023 (158) April 2023 (152) March 2023 (167) February 2023 (160) January 2023 (171) December 2022 (175) November 2022 (176) October 2022 (179) September 2022 (191) August 2022 (202) July 2022 (193) June 2022 (178) May 2022 (178) April 2022 (181) March 2022 (212) February 2022 (199) January 2022 (224) December 2021 (230) November 2021 (214) October 2021 (215) September 2021 (238) August 2021 (225) July 2021 (207) June 2021 (218) May 2021 (209) April 2021 (206) March 2021 (225) February 2021 (209) January 2021 (224) December 2020 (225) November 2020 (224) October 2020 (231) September 2020 (238) August 2020 (227) July 2020 (220) June 2020 (209) May 2020 (215) April 2020 (238) March 2020 (235) February 2020 (222) January 2020 (233) December 2019 (187) November 2019 (214) October 2019 (237) September 2019 (195) August 2019 (205) July 2019 (183) June 2019 (201) May 2019 (231) April 2019 (192) March 2019 (242) February 2019 (211) January 2019 (238) December 2018 (212) November 2018 (217) October 2018 (214) September 2018 (203) August 2018 (217) July 2018 (218) June 2018 (208) May 2018 (204) April 2018 (193) March 2018 (216) February 2018 (192) January 2018 (223) December 2017 (204) November 2017 (209) October 2017 (218) September 2017 (209) August 2017 (228) July 2017 (222) June 2017 (245) May 2017 (229) April 2017 (197) March 2017 (165) February 2017 (151) January 2017 (180) December 2016 (260) November 2016 (267) October 2016 (302) September 2016 (387) August 2016 (351) July 2016 (379) June 2016 (379) May 2016 (312) April 2016 (347) March 2016 (414) February 2016 (379) January 2016 (359) December 2015 (359) November 2015 (378) October 2015 (435) September 2015 (419) August 2015 (152) July 2015 (218) June 2015 (179) May 2015 (237) April 2015 (223) March 2015 (119) February 2015 (121) January 2015 (394) December 2014 (376) November 2014 (376) October 2014 (414) September 2014 (349) August 2014 (379) July 2014 (316) June 2014 (375) May 2014 (384) April 2014 (354) March 2014 (318) February 2014 (284) January 2014 (270) December 2013 (224) November 2013 (242) October 2013 (244) September 2013 (226) August 2013 (241) July 2013 (214) June 2013 (222) May 2013 (191) April 2013 (173) March 2013 (149) February 2013 (85) January 2013 (106) December 2012 (111) November 2012 (149) October 2012 (151) September 2012 (118) August 2012 (99) July 2012 (56) June 2012 (57) May 2012 (54) April 2012 (62) March 2012 (40) February 2012 (27) January 2012 (24) December 2011 (18) November 2011 (12) October 2011 (1) September 2011 (9) August 2011 (11) March 2011 (1)
-
- About Us | Jobs | Contact | Contribution | Partner with Us
© SoraNews24 —Japan News— / SOCIO CORPORATION
- Advertise |
- About Us |
- Work with us |
- Contact |
- Contribution |


