Koizumi Amazed FGs Understand "Mottainai"

[IkemenTommy]

[Mulboyne]

Yomiuri: Why 'mottainai' matters
Aya Ando won first prize in the 37th JNSA (Japan National Student Association) Fund Intercollegiate Oratorical Contest with her speech titled "Another '3Rs'--What We Study from the Word 'Mottainai.'"...Following is the full text of Ando's speech.

One foreign woman noticed how the Japanese word "mottainai" is important. She says that the word "mottainai" captures in one term the "3Rs" --a slogan for protecting the environment meaning Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. She admired the concept of the word "mottainai" and the Japanese who have its spirit. However, do we Japanese really have the spirit of "mottainai" in our mind now? We speak Japanese, and "mottainai" is Japanese. However, now, do we Japanese really use the word? Do we often think "Ah, 'mottainai'" in our daily lives?
...We use the word "mottainai" when we lose something. On the other hand, it expresses not only regret for the material loss, but also regret for the process of making, getting or achieving something. This is the "mottainai" spirit, I think. A decrease in use of the word "mottainai" means a decrease in our desire to cherish material things themselves and also the processes in getting them. We need to take back and remember the word before it becomes the world's language. I think this is our responsibility as the ones who had the word originally...I think we Japanese are inclined in our hearts to cherish everything around us, not to waste.

[Mulboyne]

IOL: Japan considers introducing Irish-style plastic bag tax
Japan could be the latest country to follow Ireland's lead by introducing a special anti-litter tax on plastic bags. Japanese officials are due to meet Minister for the Environment Dick Roche later today to find out more about the measure. The introduction of the 15-cent levy in Ireland has been credited with reducing the use of plastic bags by 90%.

[senshisteph]

IOL: Japan considers introducing Irish-style plastic bag tax
Japan could be the latest country to follow Ireland's lead by introducing a special anti-litter tax on plastic bags. Japanese officials are due to meet Minister for the Environment Dick Roche later today to find out more about the measure. The introduction of the 15-cent levy in Ireland has been credited with reducing the use of plastic bags by 90%.

That one may atually work - here in the UK some of the discount chain supermarkets (e.g. Aldi, Lidl, Netto) charge for carrier bags - not much (3p for a small one, 5p for a big one) but just the fact of not getting them automatically reminds you to bring your old bags and reuse - I've been using the same 3 bags for about 3 months.
Of course, it's not much use reducing carrier bag use if the stuff you carry home in it has about 3 layers of packaging already.

[IkemenTommy]

F*ck plastic.
I wish they had paper bags instead at grocery.

One word: BYOB (bring your own bag)
If the grocery stores started charging you for the bags, then I will be damn sure that people will start bringing their own.

[Greji]

F*ck plastic.
I wish they had paper bags instead at grocery.

You have just insulted the entire world of tree huggers, who now class you as an enemy of the world's forests and therefore an enemy of the enviorment.

Therefore, the correct answer to the problem is....

[IkemenTommy]

But paper is renewable as opposed to nonrenewable petroleum based plastic.

[kurohinge1]

F*ck plastic.
I wish they had paper bags instead at grocery.

You have just insulted the entire world of tree huggers ...

BYO hemp bags are the answer to your grocery-carrying needs.

That is, "bags made from hemp", as opposed to "the bag you carry your hemp in".

Tough, durable, reuseable, renewable source, etc.

[IkemenTommy]

Hemp

[kurohinge1]

Hemp

Hemp Bags

A.
B.
C.

While these might all be fairly described as "Hemp Bags", I've found that type "A" is best for lugging groceries.

[Greji]

, I've found that type "A" is best

I suppose I can agree with that, but aren't they kind of hard to roll?

[AssKissinger]

This isn't really anything new on the subject but since we're recycling

http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0422-30.htm

On a recent visit to Japan, I learned the concept of mottainai. One meaning in Japanese is "what a waste." But it also captures in one term the "Three Rs" that environmentalists have been campaigning on for a number of years: reduce, reuse, and recycle. I am seeking to make mottainai a global campaign, adding one more "R" suggested by Klaus Töpfer, the head of the UN Environment Program: "repair" resources where necessary.

We can practice mottainai in rich countries where overconsumption is rampant, and we can do it in regions where environmental devastation is causing the poor to get poorer and the ecosystems on which they depend to be degraded, some beyond repair.

In my case, mottainai means continuing to plant trees, particularly now that the long rains have come to Kenya. I have also called on my parliamentary colleagues to ensure that government offices use both sides of each sheet so we can halve the amount of paper we consume.

[Mulboyne]

Yes, that is a picture of Wangari Maathaii

Kyodo via Yahoo: Itochu to release 'MOTTAINAI' brand neckties

Itochu Corp. said Wednesday it will begin sales in April of environment-friendly neckties under the "MOTTAINAI" (Don't Waste Resources) brand in support of Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai's conservation campaign. Itochu said it will sell the polyester ties, which come in some 20 designs, with envelopes addressed to recycling agents who will recover fibers from recycled ties for reuse to make new ties.

I predict some nervous breakdowns for Itochu salarymen this summer as they struggle each morning to decide whether to support the government's "mottainai" programme or to support the government's "Cool Biz" no-necktie programme.


[t]japan[/t] [t]itochu[/t] [t]neckties[/t] [t]environmental[/t] [t]conservation[/t] [t]recycling[/t]

[Captain Japan]

English pamphlet spreads the word about Mottainai
Mainichi

An English pamphlet packed with the latest news from the Mottainai Campaign has been completed.

The A-4 sized, four-page pamphlet has stories about the new design Mottainai furoshiki, is filled with pictures of honorary campaign chair Wangari Maathai and provides plenty of information on what the Mottainai Campaign is all about.

Among the pamphlet's contents are explanations about the meaning of "mottainai" and a report on a speech Maathai gave while in Chicago. During that speech, Maathai said that during her time in Japan, she learned about the word "mottainai," which carries connotations of urging resources to be used without waste and with respect and thanks. She urged everybody to become familiar with "mottainai," which she said was "a beautiful word."...more...

I realize that this lady's heart is in the right place in pushing this but she is really batting for the other team with this stuff. My plan: read the pamphlet and teach my Japanese neighbors how to sort their trash.

[Captain Japan]

'Mottainai' anime to hit WOWOW screens from October
Mainichi

"Mottainainai Muppi to Issho," an anime program to help teach small children about the Mottainai concept will begin screening on satellite channel WOWOW from Oct. 2.

Featured in the program will be Muppi and friends, the same popular characters by Tomomi Tahara that appear in Anfan, a free magazine for mothers and children.

The characters will use enjoyable methods to teach children about protecting the environment....more...

[tidbits]