According to a report from Japan’s NHK television station on September 29, the problem of plastic garbage polluting the marine environment is becoming more and more serious. Under this circumstance, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government of Japan will make an attempt to replace the previous plastic straws with paper straws in coffee shops in the Metropolitan Government Building.

　　This trial will start on the 1st of next month in three cafes in the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku for a period of one month. On the 28th, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike came to the cafe in person to try out the paper straws that will be put into use.

　　 Koike said, "The so-called starting from a small place, so we all started to experiment in government buildings. The feeling of drinking beverages is nothing special. I hope everyone takes the straw as an opportunity to think about environmental issues together."

　　 The paper straws tested this time cost about 13 yen each, which is several times higher than the previous plastic straws. To this end, the Metropolitan Government will bear the cost of 20,000 paper straws used during the trial period.

　　 Tokyo Metropolitan Government will conduct a questionnaire survey of paper straw users, and use this as a reference to develop measures to reduce plastic waste. At the same time, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government also plans to provide the results of the questionnaire to straw manufacturers and restaurants.

　　 Some local governments in the United States have banned restaurants from providing plastic straws. Japan’s catering industry is also gradually abandoning plastic straws.