China news network on October 8, according to Japanese media reports, Japan's environment minister Harada Yoshiaki stressed at a press conference on the 5th that in order to significantly reduce the plastic waste generated in China, "should explore the provisions must implement the plastic bag fee system".

However, regarding the specific time and method, he only said that "I hope to pay attention to the discussion of the central environmental Review Council (which is exploring the issue) and make a final judgment." As for coordination with the retail industry, which has expressed concerns, he said, "I hope we can do our best to deal with it."

Japanese large supermarkets are pushing to charge for plastic bags, while the convenience store industry, which provides plastic bags for free, is also worried about the inconvenience and burden of customers due to the large number of customers who stop by.

Reported that Japan's distribution giant Aeon ahead of other companies, has stopped giving out free plastic bags in supermarkets. By the end of February 2018, about 1,600 stores of its 29 companies had implemented the fee system.

It is reported that each plastic bag charges 3 yen (about 0.18 yuan) or 5 yen, and the proportion of customers who bring their own shopping bags is 64.8%. All Ito-Yokado stores in Japan have been charging 2 yen per plastic bag since February 2013.

On the other hand, the Japanese convenience store industry has a negative attitude towards charging. Due to the large number of customers who patronize the store on the way to work or home, there are more cases of people not carrying shopping bags than when they go to the supermarket. Another reason is that customers feel burdened when they have to pay a few yen per plastic bag for an average purchase of 600 yen per person.

However, Japan's convenience store industry is stepping up its environmental protection measures. Some of Rosen's stores use plant-derived plastic bags, while 7-Eleven has reduced the thickness of plastic bags. "If only one store starts charging, customers may go to other stores," said a source from the distribution industry.

The problem of plastic waste has attracted high attention internationally due to increasing Marine pollution. As for the specific measures to be included in the Japanese government's "Plastic resource recycling Strategy", Japan's Central Environmental Review Council is expected to compile a general framework within the year.

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