The device known as shoyu-tai (or soy-sauce snapper in Japanese) was invented in 1954 by Teruo Watanabe, the founder of Osaka-based company Asahi Sogyo, according to a report from Japan’s Radio Kansai.

It was then common for glass and ceramic containers to be used but the advent of cheap industrial plastics allowed the creation of a small polyethylene container in the shape of a fish, officially named the “Lunch Charm”.

The invention quickly spread around Japan and eventually worldwide, and it is estimated that billions have been produced.

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[–] 1 point 1 year ago* (1 child)

I think the issue is more about people not giving a shit

but do these trash cans have funny jokes on them like these ones:

"mist" is trash in german

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  • [–] 2 points 1 year ago

    Eh. No jokes, no. The most engaging thing I remember seeing around in the city was a "vote" panel for cigarette butts with silly questions; but even that has gone away.

    It is unfortunate that we're at this point. Hopefully other places do fare better.

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