We’ve been gathering resources and case studies on eco trends in Japan for years now. As part of our recent eco report we compiled a lot of them into categories in order to analyze their influence and global potential. Here’s a quick run-down of some of the coolest innovations we came across.
1. Eco-vending machines
Japan has 2.4 million beverage vending machines and this understandably consumes a vast amount of power. How can we support our mobile lifestyles while being kind to the planet? Well, there are prototypes being developed, including Fuji Electric’s E3 vending machines, which gets energy from a solar panel and insulates in the winter by growing moss on its side.
2. Solar powered electronics
Products such as those from Sanyo’s eneloop range prove that it is possible to be consumerist, mobile and eco at the same time. From their batteries that can be recharged 1,000 times to this portable solar panel, if you want to be green without setting up in a shack in the woods — then eneloop might be the solution. The panel serves as an auxiliary power source for your music player or iPhone, and can be put into your bag or held in your hand.
What’s more, though the totally solar-powered mobile phone might have some time to go, the main Japanese carriers are still pioneering handsets that at least offer some extra energy help from the sun. Softbank’s Solar Hybrid phone is waterproof and part-solar powered, with 10 minutes of solar charging equaling 1 minute of conversation.
3. Art visions
What would Tokyo look like if the pavement were suddenly replaced with grass? Well, the Green Island Project have turned this eco-warrior’s fantasy into art: a series of photographs that cleverly turn Tokyo streets into fields of green. The project is a collaborative effort between creative director Tag (Ryo Taguchi), photo retoucher IMKW (Imakawa), and contemporary artist-cum-coder Immr (Yuichiro Imamura).
[Image courtesy of Green Island Project.]
4. Recycled design goods
Recycling and re-using materials is a major part of eco (that and cutting down energy consumption in the first place). Trust the Japanese to turn a good deed into a design dream. Just some of the great products made from old materials that we have particularly liked included (recently blogged) Seal brand’s bags and shoes (made from parts of old tires), Index’s eco chopsticks (from rice-based biomass plastic), and the Filt Waste Oil candles (below) (uses locally collected cooking oil waste and thrown-out glass jars).
5. Re-thinking packaging
Coca-Cola Japan’s l LOHAS is a bottled water product that makes an environmental stand (at least marketing-wise): its bottle design twists up neatly into a 12 gram piece of plastic, said to be 40% less than other PET bottles.
William is one of the editors of JapanTrends.com and a Project Manager at 
William, this is a very interesting post. I especially like the first section on Eco-vending machines. When I traveled to Japan, the number of vending machines (and the variety of products sold through this medium) really stuck out to me.
In China, I do not see nearly as many vending machines, mainly because China’s cities are lined with 小卖部 (xiaomaibu). These are little convenience stalls that sell drinks, snacks, cigarettes, and other products that would otherwise be sold through vending machines.
As the standard of living continues to improve in China, especially in it’s Tier 1 cities like Beijing and Shanghai, I could see vending machines growing in popularity – however I am not quite sure when the Eco-vending machine will come into fashion.
@Joel Thanks for the China perspective. Yes, Japan is realizing the ecological costs of its affluence are immense and it has to do something about it…And it is going about it in the same innovative way that created its economic success. China is, perhaps understandably, putting growth first over environmental considerations.
But apparently you can only crush that bottle if you possess the awesome strength of Abe Hiroshi!
@Jason Well, I can assure you that even a weakling like me can do it too! I put that down to the ultra-light materials rather than my powers…