While plastic garbage has become a global issue, Japan is ranked second after the USA when it comes to the amount of discarded plastic per person. At the moment retailers, such as convenience stores, provide plastic bags free of charge, while many supermarkets sell them for a few yen or offer deductions from the bills of those who do not use them. However, from July, a charge will be applied to all plastic bags nation-wide. In addition, besides dealing with plastic bags, measures will be taken to reduce the amount of disposable plastic items – including switching plastic straws for paper ones.