TOKYO, Feb 12 (News On Japan) - On the April 11th broadcast of "Beat Takeshi's TV Tackle" (TV Asahi), Beat Takeshi suggested measures to prevent the persistent problem of illegal dumping of hard rubbish. The program highlighted the issue of illegally dumped cars and boats moored without permission on the banks of the Mamagawa River, leading to a debate among the studio guests.
Takeshi questioned the situation, pointing to the abandoned vehicles on the riverbank, "Cars are left on the embankment, but they must have been driven there, right? Are they dumped because it costs money to scrap them?" In response, Mr. Seizo Sasaki, a former investigator from the Saitama Prefectural Police, explained, "Scrapping a vehicle costs money, so people think they can leave them there indefinitely without being reprimanded. That's why there are so many cars parked like that."
Alpinist Ken Noguchi mentioned a similar situation at Mount Fuji, "The inside of the Aokigahara forest at Mount Fuji used to look just like that. There were many cars with their license plates removed, abandoned along the forest roads." Sasaki added, "Even if the owners are contacted, they have to pay to remove the cars themselves. Without economic means, this cannot be resolved," and remarked, "Illegal dumping is a crime, isn't it? So, they can be arrested."
Takeshi then suggested a preventive measure, recalling an approach used at Mount Fuji, "Like I said before about Mount Fuji, there are toll booths, right? If trucks are loaded with cargo, take a photo and note the license plate. If the cargo is missing when they leave, it's definitely illegal dumping." Sasaki agreed with Takeshi's idea, proposing, "It's a very good idea. How about installing machines that can read license plates?"
He also suggested applying the technology used in elevators with cameras. However, Sawako Agawa expressed her unease, "It's scary, that elevator. You don't expect cameras to be on every floor, so if you pick your nose, everyone waiting on each floor can see it."
