"Enough Is Enough": Japan Troubled by Abandoned Suitcases Mistaken for Explosives on Streets

A New Form of Tourist Pollution Concentrated in Hotel and Lodging Areas
Abandoned Suitcases Also Found at Narita and Chubu Airports
Difficult to Dispose of: Local Governments Team Up With Reuse Companies for Solutions

In Japan, the issue of travelers' suitcases—so-called "carrier dumping"—presumed to have been abandoned by foreign tourists, has emerged as a new form of tourism pollution. The problem is particularly acute in Tokyo's Ikebukuro district, where hotels and guesthouses are concentrated, prompting local governments to collaborate with reuse companies to devise countermeasures.

On October 3, local media outlets such as the Yomiuri Shimbun reported that Toshima Ward in Tokyo had confirmed around 290 cases of abandoned suitcases last year at waste collection sites, on roads, and in parks. Numerous cases were found especially around Ikebukuro Station, which is crowded with hotels and guesthouses. Toshima Ward believes that some travelers, including foreigners, may purchase new suitcases and discard their old ones before leaving the area.

The problem is that suitcases cannot be as easily disposed of as regular household waste. Because these unclaimed bags cannot be easily checked for their contents, residents have expressed concerns about safety. In fact, in a residential neighborhood in Ikebukuro, Tokyo, some residents suspected that an abandoned suitcase might contain explosives or other hazardous materials. Suitcases discarded at airports are also not simply treated as ordinary waste—they are handled as lost items or suspicious objects, and must go through verification processes involving police and airport staff.

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At Narita International Airport, abandoned suitcases have also been highlighted as an issue. Last year, police stored approximately 700 suitcases at the airport, and by the end of June this year, around 400 more had been collected. At Chubu Centrair International Airport, 85 abandoned suitcases were retrieved over the course of 2024. Airport authorities believe some foreign tourists are discarding unnecessary bags before departing the country.

The reasons for abandoning suitcases include airline baggage regulations and fee issues. When travelers purchase new bags and no longer need the old ones, or if their luggage exceeds the airline's size or weight limits and incurs additional costs, some choose to discard the bags locally. However, in Japan, abandoning suitcases on roads or in public places can constitute illegal dumping. Violators may be punished under waste disposal laws, and there has been at least one case of a man being charged after disposing of a suitcase at an airport.

To address the problem, Toshima Ward signed agreements with two suitcase reuse firms in July this year. The aim is to reduce the abandonment of suitcases while also establishing a system for proper collection and recycling of unwanted luggage.

Meanwhile, various forms of tourism pollution, such as noise and litter, have become significant social issues in Japan amid increasing tourist numbers. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government is also considering introducing fines to prevent the dumping of trash at tourist sites.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.