Japan: Colorful Ashtrays Hoped to Improve Smoking Manners

Source from:  Yomiuri Shimbun (jp)  11/19/2013

Specially designed colorful ashtrays were recently installed on the streets of Shimokitazawa in Tokyo's Setagaya Ward in a bid to reduce litter and improve the smoking manners of visitors to the area.

The cylindrical ashrays, designed by students at a Tokyo vocational school, were placed in various locations in Shimokitazawa, known as a popular area among young people, earlier this month. A local shopping district promotion association hopes the eye-catching ashtrays will also serve to brighten up the area's image.

The Shimokita Shopping Street Promoting Association in Setagaya Ward has been implementing the project. On Nov. 2, a total of 17 ashtrays, 16 designed by students at Vantan Design Institute in Shibuya Ward and one designed by a professional illustrator, were installed at 12 locations, such as in front of shops. The students' designs include a robot motif and a design featuring gears.

Many young people visit the Shimokitazawa district for its trendy image. About one-third of the approximately 1,600 shops in the district are eating and drinking establishments. Because smoking on the street is allowed in Shimokitazawa, many people smoke while walking, sometimes discarding cigarette butts in the street. Enditem