Gomihiroi Samurai have been cleaning the streets of the capital for almost two decades, raising awareness among residents. The day after Halloween is a challenge.
Garbage collectors wearing samurai costumes took to the streets of Tokyo on Wednesday, theatrically grabbing garbage cans and tossing away trash left over from an evening of revelry.Halloween in wicker baskets on their backs. Wearing boldly patterned black and white hats and tunics, the group said:Gomihiroi Samurai» or the garbage collector samurai, has fascinated fans with nearly 800,000 subscribers on TikTok since its inception in 2006.
“If people pay attention to our performance because they think it’s funny, they may also start paying attention to the waste problem itself.said Keisuke Naka, one of the group, as he cleared the area under a large sign. “No to littering.”
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Naka, the samurai who has been collecting garbage for seven years, collecting empty beer cans, plastic bottles and cigarette butts, believes that while Japan is known for its cleanliness abroad, the truth is not so simple. night life. Naka states that nights like Halloween put the streets in a gloomy state due to the prevalence of alcohol consumption in crowded areas and tourist spots.
However, local residents believe that garbage collector samurai are making a difference today. Naruhito Miyasaka, a student who grew up and lives in the area where Naka collects garbage, says the garbage problem is so bad that people can see rats running through the garbage at night. Restaurant owner Junya Kakihara said these operations have brought more attention to the problem, adding: “I tell people not to throw away their garbage when they are going to throw it away.»
