How Japan uniquely recycles plastic
This Japanese factory recycles used plastic food trays to make brand new ones. In fact, they are the first company in the world who started tray-to-tray container production. All throughout Japan, used plastic trays are commonly collected at designated supermarket recycle bins, where they’re picked up by trucks and brought to recycling factories. About 5 tons of plastic trays are collected every day at this factory. Based on the most recent statistics from 2016 out of the top 20 plastic waste producing countries, Japan ranks 15th in the world, for annual plastic waste production per person at 38kg 83lbs, compared to the US at a steady #1 producing 105kg 231lbs of plastic waste per person, with the UK in 2nd at 99Kg. That said, Japan recycles about 20% of that plastic waste for reuse. First thing you may notice is that the trays arrive rather clean. And I can vouch, with no stench. In Japan, before placing the plastic trays into the recycle bins, they’re washed and dried at home by each individual. A very critical part of the process since this type of recycling business wouldn’t be possible without the cooperation from the community. Interestingly, many Japanese kids from a young age learn how to clean and separate plastics as part of their everyday school lunch helping to show them the importance and their responsibility for recycling.

Animalogic - Jan 29
This is the northern-most living wild primate in the world, the Snow Monkey.

Kyodo - Jan 28
A pharmaceutical advisory body for Japan's health ministry on Friday expressed no objection to the manufacturing and marketing of an abortion pill, bringing the medication a step closer to becoming the first of its kind to gain approval in the country.

AP - Jan 26
Japan successfully launched a rocket Thursday carrying a government intelligence-gathering satellite on a mission to watch movements at military sites in North Korea and improve natural disaster response.

NHK - Jan 21
Japanese astronaut Wakata Koichi has completed his first spacewalk outside the International Space Station.

gulfnews.com - Jan 20
A pair of scuba divers has captured rare video and photos of a 2.5-metre giant squid swimming in the waters off Japan's west coast.

NHK - Jan 20
Japan Coast Guard officials say they have confirmed a large marine creature believed to be a whale in Tokyo Bay.

FRAME - Jan 20
Today on FRAME, a feature on the Production line of the Japanese manufacturer, Honda. Check out how the iconic Civic Type R is made in one of the most advanced facilities in Japan, the Saitama Factory.

- Jan 13
When it comes to wildlife Japan is one of the most interesting places in the world. It's landscapes and wildlife vary greatly from north to south and it's home to a lot of species that can't be found anywhere else in the world.

NHK - Jan 04
Japan's space agency is set to begin the final screening of applicants in its latest astronaut recruitment. Those who pass the screening will go on to take part in an international lunar exploration project.

Kyodo - Dec 23
Japan's average temperature in 2022 was its highest ever for the fourth consecutive year, preliminary figures released by the country's weather agency showed Thursday.

world-nuclear-news.org - Dec 22
Japan's Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) has approved a draft of a new rule that would allow the country's nuclear power reactors to be operated for more than the current limit of 60 years. The amendment will require parliamentary approval.

scotsman.com - Dec 20
Physicists have proposed that ‘neutrinos’ – one of the most abundant fundamental particles in the universe – could be the origin of all matter in the universe today.

NHK - Dec 15
A new survey in Japan shows that more than 5 percent of people who were infected with the coronavirus continued to suffer aftereffects one month after developing symptoms.

cnbc.com - Dec 12
Japanese lunar exploration company ispace began its long-anticipated first mission on Sunday, with a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launching the venture’s lunar lander from Florida.

South China Morning Post - Dec 10
A Japanese robotics start-up has developed spider-like robots to inspect and maintain the country’s sewer pipes as the country grapples with a labour shortage in the industry.

offshore-energy.biz - Dec 10
Dutch-Norwegian company SolarDuck has been awarded a contract to develop Japan’s first offshore floating solar power generation and automated sailing boat technology demonstrator together with local partners.