Statement by H.E. Ambassador MIKANAGI Tomohiro, Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the Commemoration of the International Day of Zero Waste

Excellencies, dear colleagues,
 
It is a great pleasure to attend this event commemorating the International Day of Zero Waste, which began by the strong message from H.E. Ms. Emine Erdoğan, the First Lady of the Republic of Türkiye. I thank Türkiye for its leadership and the co-organizers for arranging this event.
 
Promoting a circular economy has been recognized as a key to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in particular SDG 12 on sustainable production and consumption patterns, as well as meeting the objectives and goals of the Paris Agreement and other international environmental agreements.

In this context, Japan has long been spearheading circular-economy and resource circulation approach, such as the 3R’s initiative to reduce, reuse, and recycle wastes, covering the full life cycle of materials.
 
Food waste is generated in everyday life, by people of all ages. Policies for reducing food loss and waste can have a catalytic role in raising awareness among citizens and local communities of environmentally-friendly actions.
 
The latest data shows that, by 2023, Japan had achieved a 53% reduction in total food loss compared to 2000 levels. This consists of a 58% reduction in business food loss and a 46% reduction in household food loss. Japan is proud to announce that it has achieved its target under SDG 12.3, to halve food loss by 2030 compared to 2000 levels, well ahead the target year.
 
Japan has further increased its national target for businesses to reduce food loss to 60% by 2030 compared to 2000 levels.
 
In addition, food waste can be utilized as a resource to produce high nutrition animal feeds and fertilizers, as well as biogas. Japan has been promoting food “recycling-loops”, to utilize food residues in local agriculture and returning them to communities as food products.
 
Japan continues to value its culture of not wasting food. With the engagement of all stakeholders, Japan stands ready to take a leading role in addressing this critical issue.
 
I thank you.