Pre-reading questions:
- What do you usually bring when you go shopping and why?
- What are the common single-use plastics in Japan?
Vocabulary:
- implement /im-pluh-muhnt/
- ban /ban/
- afforestation /uh-FAWR-ist-tey-shuhn/
- awareness /uh-WAIR-nis/
- microplastic /MAHY-kroh-PLAS-tik/
[verb] to put a plan into action
The company has implemented a new policy that would contribute to its employees’ benefits.
[verb] to forbid someone to do something or forbid an action
The new law bans foreign fishermen to enter another country’s territory.
[noun] the action of planting trees on an area of land in order to make a forest
The students join the afforestation held by their school admin.
[noun] knowledge that something exists, or understanding of a situation or subject
He joined a campaign about public awareness on a certain issue.
[noun] extremely small pieces of plastic that are harmful to the environment, used in cosmetics
Microplastics are the number 1 cause of marine pollution.
Japan plans to charge plastic shopping bags at supermarkets, convenience stores, drugstores, and department stores. According to a report, the aim to implement the new policy would help fight marine pollution. Environment Minister Yoshiaki Harada said that his ministry intends to propose a new law to ban free single-use plastic bags.”The proportion of plastic bags among plastic waste is not big, but charging would be symbolic”, he added. The ministry asks retailers to charge up to 10 yen for every plastic bag. The money collected from plastic bags will be used in preventive measures for our surroundings such as afforestation and spreading awareness on environmental issues.
The ministry also considers expanding the targeted retailers to small and medium-sized business operators. Biodegradable plastic bags are not included in the ban. A report added that Japan produces the largest amount of plastic waste per capita following the United States. It is estimated that there are over 8 million tons of plastic waste that flow into the oceans every year. This causes microplastics pollution which is harmful to marine life.
The ministry also considers expanding the targeted retailers to small and medium-sized business operators. Biodegradable plastic bags are not included in the ban. A report added that Japan produces the largest amount of plastic waste per capita following the United States. It is estimated that there are over 8 million tons of plastic waste that flow into the oceans every year. This causes microplastics pollution which is harmful to marine life.
Comprehension Questions:
- What does Japan plan to do according to the article?
- Yoshiaki Harada is the minister of what department?
- How much would be the charge for every plastic bag?
- What kind of plastic bag is not included in the charge?
- How many tons of plastic waste flow into the oceans every year?
Discussion Questions:
- What is your opinion on Japan’s plan to ban free plastic bags?
- Do you think not using plastic bags would help save the environment? Why or why not?
- Aside from plastic bags, what other things contribute to marine pollution?
- In your own opinion, what is the best alternative to plastic bags?
- Do you think human activities are the cause of climate change? Explain your answer.