Karinoya Learning Room

Daily Life Lessons · Shopping

Plastic Shopping Bags and Reusable Bags

Goal of this lesson

Be able to say at the register whether you need a bag, and choose between paid plastic bags, free bags, and your own reusable bag depending on the situation.

Explanation

Since July 2020, plastic shopping bags with handles (レジ袋) have been charged for across Japan. Each store sets its own price, so prices differ by store. At checkout you will often be asked "Do you need a bag?" (袋はいりますか？); say "Onegai shimasu" (お願いします, yes, please) if you need one, or "Irimasen" (いりません, no, thank you) if you don't.

Thin bags without handles for items such as meat and fish, bags for prescribed medicine from hospitals and pharmacies, and thick bags designed for repeated use are outside this system. Paper bags are not covered by the system, but some stores charge for them. Bringing your own reusable bag (エコバッグ) saves you the bag fee.

Read in Easy Japanese (yasashii nihongo)

2020年7月から、レジ袋（ぶくろ）は お金が かかります。

- 値段（ねだん）は 店で ちがいます。 - レジで「袋は いりますか？」と 聞かれます。 - ほしいときは「お願いします」。 - いらないときは「いりません」。

肉や 魚を 入れる 手で 持つところが ない 袋は、お金が かからないことが 多いです。

エコバッグ（自分の 袋）を 持っていくと、お金が かかりません。

Check quiz

Q1

When did charging for plastic shopping bags start across Japan?

  1. April 2010
  2. January 2015
  3. July 2020
  4. October 2025
AnswerC. July 2020

Charging started across Japan on July 1, 2020.

Q2

Who decides the price of plastic shopping bags?

  1. The store (business)
  2. The national government
  3. The city office
  4. The customer
AnswerA. The store (business)

Each business (store) sets its own price, so prices differ by store.

Q3

What do you say at the register when you don't need a bag?

  1. Onegai shimasu (yes, please)
  2. Please heat it up
  3. Irimasen (no, thank you)
  4. With points, please
AnswerC. Irimasen (no, thank you)

If you say "Irimasen" or "Fukuro wa daijōbu desu" (I'm fine without a bag), you will not be given a bag.

Q4

Which bag is subject to the charge?

  1. A bag without handles for meat or fish
  2. A bag for prescribed medicine from a hospital or pharmacy
  3. A bag that already holds the product when it is on the shelf
  4. A plastic bag with handles for carrying what you bought
AnswerD. A plastic bag with handles for carrying what you bought

The system covers plastic shopping bags with handles for carrying purchased items. Bags without handles, bags for prescribed medicine, and bags that hold products from the start are not covered.

Q5

How can you avoid paying for a bag?

  1. Throw away the receipt
  2. Bring your own reusable bag
  3. Pay in cash
  4. Use the self-checkout
AnswerB. Bring your own reusable bag

If you bring your own bag (reusable bag), you do not need to buy a plastic bag.

Frequently asked questions

Q. Why do some stores give plastic bags for free?

A. Bags that are 50 micrometers thick or more and can be reused, bags made of 100% marine-biodegradable plastic, and bags containing 25% or more biomass material are outside the system, so they may be given out for free.

Q. Do paper bags cost money too?

A. Paper bags are not covered by this system. However, some stores decide to charge for them.

Q. What if I want a bag at the self-checkout (セルフレジ)?

A. You choose the number of bags on the screen, or at some stores the bags are placed near the checkout. If you are not sure, ask a staff member.

Practice: answer the questions on this page

This practice tool asks questions in random order (it works when JavaScript is enabled). You can still read all the questions and explanations above without it.

Systems and procedures may differ depending on the city, ward, town or village where you live and on the time of year. Please check the latest information from your local government or the relevant organizations.
Content checked on: 2026-09-28

This page is a translation of the Japanese original. If the translation and the original differ, the Japanese version takes precedence. View the Japanese original