en ABOUT Japan Reuse Organization

Company Information

Concept

The Japan Reuse Organization supports businesses who sell safe products in an appropriate manner, providing customers with an enjoyable shopping experience.

We value the Japanese spirit of mottainai, and work to create an ecological environment in which a wide variety of devices and products may be used until the end of their lifespan.

Specifically, we want to ensure that the distribution of secondhand products proceeds in a safe, smooth, legal and environment-friendly manner, in accordance with the pillars of our business: ①, to provide information, ②, to work together to solve problems, ③, to make proposals to the national government, ④, to broker secondhand products, and ⑤, to contribute to society.

Message

Japan imports large amounts of resources from overseas and manufactures products with high added value. Thanks to domestic consumption as well as infrastructure maintenance, daily life becomes ever more convenient. In addition, we acquire foreign currency through export. As a result, however, we generate enormous quantities of waste, and the amount of infrastructure, cars and electronic appliances which are ultimately destined to become waste, is growing incessantly. The nation agrees that now is the time to implement the 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) society. The expertise we have gained from experience can be applied overseas with the potential to improve the global environment and stimulate humanity’s continued development. This is why working on becoming a recycling-oriented society is an important goal.

However, at present we cannot yet claim that reuse has progressed to an acceptable level. This is why we implement various projects and try to come up with solutions. This includes technological progress, better quality of life, improved product lifespans, etc. Inextricably linked to this is the protection and improved recovery of the global environment. We should not deplete the earth’s resources in just one generation. It is our duty to preserve resources for the next generation. In our own generation, the gap between rich and poor is too wide, and the resulting inequality may lead to social unrest. In other words, we have the obligation to think about both the present and the future as we strive towards implementing our goals. In recent years, through the progress of science and technology, as well as consumers’ diverse demands, products have become more diversified and complex, while at the same time their life span has kept shrinking.

On the other hand, through the concepts of protection, preservation and effective use of resources, the idea of Common Earth has spread, and the word mottainai is on its way to becoming universally understood, among other reasons thanks to Nobel Peace Prize Winner Wangari Maathai. Japan, poor in resources but technologically highly advanced and with rich industry experience, is in a position to lead the world in this area. So the wise use of products is synonymous with the concept of mottainai.

The newly founded Japan Reuse Organization aims to implement the above-mentioned ideals in the industry in a tangible and reasonable manner. We cannot afford to ignore even one of the 3 Rs. Product safety and environmental load reduction are persistent problems that provide endless challenges and cause additional responsibilities for the circulators (sellers, recyclers) who deal with the products. When they only stock the newest version of a product, older products which could still be used, or might have utility value in a different area, are designated as trash and sorted out, which is an ineffective way of using the world’s resources. Keeping this in mind is therefore part of the duty of circulators, in addition to safety and the reduction of environmental burden. The Japan Reuse Organization was founded to take on the responsibility of correcting the negative aspects of the industry, and to implement modernization and moderation. As painters Honami Koetsu and Tawaraya Sotatsu met and worked together at the end of the Muromachi period to create harmonious, flawless masterpieces, our organization wants to work together with all of you to provide continuous support, encouragement and help for development, and so provide future world citizens with a good system and environment.

Inquiry

For inquiries, please contact us by phone (03-3525-8443) or email.