Japan wins war on plastic, but shoplifters bag hidden spoils

Charging for plastic bags has led to some customers concealing goods in their reusable bags, supermarket chains say

Japan's consumers have embraced a campaign to address their addiction to plastic bags, but new measures to combat marine pollution have created an unforeseen problem: a rise in shoplifting.

All of Japan's stores were required to introduce a fee for plastic shopping bags in July with the aim of encouraging shoppers to use their own, reusable bags rather than pay for carrier bags.