[DigitalToday reporter Jae-won Choi (최재원)] Twenty-two smart trash bins that automatically compact waste and allow remote checks of fill levels have been installed in Akihabara, a major tourist spot in Tokyo. The measure aims to reduce illegal dumping that has worsened with rising tourist numbers and to improve the efficiency of waste collection work.

On Nov. 9 (local time), Japanese media outlet ITmedia reported that Tokyo's Chiyoda ward began operating the smart trash bins, SmaGO, from the previous day, Nov. 8, at 10 locations around Akihabara's Chuo-dori and near Akihabara Station.

The bins are supplied by Japan's POSSTECH. They consist of 10 compacting units for general waste and 12 non-compacting units for collecting recyclables such as bottles, cans and PET bottles.

The compacting units run on electricity generated and stored by solar panels on top. When trash accumulates beyond a certain level inside, they compress the volume to about one-fifth to prevent overflow. Collection staff can check fill-level data sent to the cloud in real time and adjust pickup schedules around bins that are full.

Akihabara is known as a tourist destination for electronics and anime and gaming culture, but it has struggled with street trash problems. Chiyoda ward said foreign tourists visiting the area total about 11 million a year.

Volunteers and ward office staff are cleaning the area, but it is not easy to cope with the volume of trash generated as visitor numbers rise. There have also been continued complaints that there are not enough bins, leaving nowhere to dispose of takeaway containers or drink bottles.

The project was 추진됐다 using a subsidy from the Tokyo metropolitan government's TOKYO Cleanup Action. The exterior of the units carries the phrase "Clean Akiba!" (CLEAN AKIBA!) to encourage tourists to dispose of trash properly.

POSSTECH introduced SmaGO at about 80 sites across Japan. In Tokyo's Omotesando and Harajuku, where it replaced existing bins, it said the number of collections fell by about 70 percent. This, however, is an operating case from other areas and does not mean the same effect has occurred in Akihabara.

On the ward's official X (Twitter), some welcomed the installation, while others voiced concerns about illegal dumping of household garbage or business waste. Whether the new facilities will lead to a better street environment and lower collection costs will need to be confirmed through future operating results.