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Shibuya Issues ¥2,000 Litter Fines, Preps ¥3,000 Tourist Tax

6/2/2026

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Summary

Shibuya Issues Fines

Shibuya Ward began issuing on-the-spot 2,000-yen ($13) fines for littering on June 1, 2026.
Up to 50 officials patrol the district, speaking English, Chinese and Korean.
Mayor Ken Hasebe said the fines protect the environment while welcoming 42.7 million foreign visitors recorded in 2025.
A survey of 4,000 tourists found over 20 % flagged missing public bins as inconvenient.
Japan will triple its tourist tax to 3,000 yen ($18) on July 1, 2026.

Summary

Shibuya Requires Bins

Shibuya now requires convenience and take-out shops in high-traffic areas to provide their own trash bins.
The policy follows a national trend of cutting bins after the 1995 sarin attack and COVID-19 store removals that further limited disposal options.
Activists posted videos of citizens collecting litter on Shibuya streets.
Chiyoda, Shinjuku and Kyoto already operate on-the-spot litter-fine systems similar to Shibuya’s approach.

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Shibuya Issues Fines

Shibuya Ward began issuing on-the-spot 2,000-yen ($13) fines for littering on June 1, 2026.
Up to 50 officials patrol the district, speaking English, Chinese and Korean.
Mayor Ken Hasebe said the fines protect the environment while welcoming 42.7 million foreign visitors recorded in 2025.
A survey of 4,000 tourists found over 20 % flagged missing public bins as inconvenient.
Japan will triple its tourist tax to 3,000 yen ($18) on July 1, 2026.

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