One of the world's most popular cities fines tourists on the spot: “If you litter, you lose money”
“If you litter, you lose money” is the message sent by the Tokyo authorities, who have introduced on-the-spot fines for those caught littering public spaces. The measure particularly targets areas frequented by tourists, where the amount of waste has increased considerably in recent years.
Tokyo City Photo: pixabay
Tokyo authorities have introduced on-the-spot fines for people caught littering the streets of Shibuya, one of the most famous districts of the Japanese capital. The measure comes in the context of the accelerated increase in the number of tourists and the problems generated by overtourism, writes euronews.
Tourists and locals who litter in public spaces in Shibuya risk a fine of 2,000 yen (about 11 euros). Local authorities say the sanctions are part of a wider campaign to maintain cleanliness in an area that attracts millions of visitors annually.
The Shibuya district is known worldwide for the famous pedestrian crossing crossed daily by tens of thousands of people. In recent years, however, with the explosion of tourism in Japan, the authorities have faced an increasing number of complaints about garbage left on the streets and the consumption of alcohol in public spaces.
According to Japanese media, the local government will send up to 50 inspectors to patrol the area and be able to issue fines on the spot. The payment of the fines can be made in cash, by card or through QR codes.
The information campaign launched by the authorities carries the slogan “If you throw garbage, you lose money”, a message that will be displayed in several points in the neighborhood to discourage behaviors considered problematic.
Record number of tourists in Japan
Japan continues to be one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in the world. In 2025, the country saw a record 42.7 million foreign visitors, benefiting from the depreciation of the yen and heavy promotion on social media.
However, the increase in the number of tourists has also brought challenges for the authorities. Among the most common problems reported are excessive crowding in tourist areas, inappropriate behavior of some visitors and the large amount of waste generated in public spaces.
Lack of trash cans, a problem for visitors
Paradoxically, Japan is recognized for its high level of cleanliness, although there are relatively few garbage cans in large cities. Authorities have reduced their number over the years for security reasons, fearing they could be used to hide dangerous devices.
In a survey conducted by the Japanese government, about 20% of tourists stated that the lack of trash cans was the biggest difficulty they encountered while visiting.
To limit the effects of overtourism, the Japanese government is considering other measures, including raising taxes on foreign visitors and using apps to monitor tourist flows in the busiest destinations.
