A recent survey reveals that over 80% of people in Japan are in favor of taking leftover food home from restaurants, highlighting growing public support for reducing food waste.
The survey, conducted by Kuradashi—an organization focused on minimizing food loss—polled 2,010 individuals aged 20 and older. The findings align with new guidelines established late last year by the Consumer Affairs Agency and the health ministry, which aim to reduce food loss across the country.
Survey Highlights
• 52% of respondents said they would take leftovers home if containers were provided free of charge.
• 28.8% expressed willingness to use takeout containers regardless of whether they were free or not.
• Combined, 80.8% supported taking leftovers home, showing a strong preference for reducing waste.
• 14.5% of participants reported that they never leave food behind at restaurants.
New Guidelines for Leftovers
The updated guidelines encourage customers to take responsibility for leftover food:
• Customers should transfer food to containers themselves.
• Leftovers should be stored appropriately and not kept in high-temperature areas.
These steps address concerns about liability, as many Japanese restaurants have traditionally avoided promoting takeout of leftovers due to the lack of clear rules.
Food Loss in Japan
According to the health ministry, food loss in Japan occurs both at businesses and households.
• Restaurants account for 25% of food loss in food-related businesses.
• Half of this waste is attributed to leftovers.
Reducing Waste Through Awareness
A Consumer Affairs Agency official emphasized the importance of spreading awareness about the new guidelines:
“We want to ensure that the guidelines concerning taking leftover food home are widely disseminated.”
The initiative reflects broader efforts to tackle food waste while empowering consumers to adopt more sustainable practices.
Source: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/01/20/japan/leftovers-home-survey/
