A recent survey has revealed that more than 80% of people in Japan are interested in taking their leftover food home from restaurants, as efforts grow to reduce food waste.
At the end of 2024, the Consumer Affairs Agency and Japan’s health ministry introduced new guidelines aimed at encouraging consumers to take home leftovers, in a bid to tackle food loss. The guidelines emphasize the importance of reducing waste, urging both businesses and individuals to make greater efforts in reusing leftover food.
The survey, conducted by Kuradashi, a company dedicated to reducing food waste by selling near-expiry products, gathered responses from 2,010 participants aged 20 and older. It found that 52.0% of respondents were willing to use containers to take leftovers home, provided they are offered for free. Meanwhile, 28.8% expressed a willingness to use takeout containers regardless of whether they are provided at no charge.
While 80% of participants showed interest in taking leftovers home, 14.5% reported they had never left food behind at a restaurant.
Historically, many restaurants in Japan have been hesitant to encourage customers to take home leftovers, due to a lack of clear guidelines on the practice. However, the newly established rules now clarify that consumers are responsible for transferring food to containers themselves, and it is advised that they avoid storing the leftovers in high-temperature environments.
According to the health ministry, food loss is a significant issue across the food industry, including restaurants, food manufacturers, and households. Around 25% of food waste in businesses comes from restaurants, with half of this waste attributed to uneaten food left behind by diners.
“We are committed to ensuring that the guidelines on taking leftover food home are widely understood and followed,” said a spokesperson from the Consumer Affairs Agency.
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