OSAKA - Foreign tourists are flocking to Kansai in record numbers, but along with the economic boost comes an unwelcome side effect: a surge in abandoned suitcases. In Osaka’s bustling Minami district, police and business owners are increasingly encountering luggage left on sidewalks and in alleys, some still in usable condition.
Osaka welcomed 8.476 million foreign visitors in the first half of 2024, the highest ever for the period.
At Kansai International Airport, the number of abandoned suitcases has been climbing for three consecutive years since the pandemic, reaching a record 816 cases in 2024. Left beside rubbish bins or in corners, these cases are tagged and stored for a set period before being reused or disposed of. Opinions among travelers vary, with some expressing confusion or concern over whether bags are deliberately abandoned, while others cite shopping sprees and difficulty finding the right luggage as factors.
Authorities have also taken action. In July, a man was referred to prosecutors after leaving an oversized suitcase at Chubu Centrair International Airport when it could not be brought onboard. Hotels in Osaka face similar challenges, with some handling as many as 20 abandoned suitcases in a month. Disposal costs can run to about 50,000 yen over two months.
In response, Best Western Hotel Fino Osaka Shinsaibashi has adopted an inventive solution. Since March, cleaning contractors have been taking abandoned cases, cutting them in half, and turning them into planters. This initiative not only reduces waste but gives the discarded luggage a second life.
With tourism numbers surging, local authorities and businesses are seeking ways to address the growing problem of suitcase abandonment before it further impacts the region’s image and environment.
Source: YOMIURI
