In 2001, Japan became one of the five largest waste paper exporters

At the end of August 2001, the US exported 6.379 million tons of waste paper, compared with 726,000 tons in Japan, which was 11.5% in the United States, and it has exceeded 10%. In September, Japan exported 147,978 tons of waste paper, which was 594.5% of the same period in 2000, of which exports to China were the largest, reaching 54,636 tons, followed by Thailand, reaching 45,073 tons. In 2001, Japan’s waste paper export volume could exceed 1 million tons, becoming the fifth largest waste paper exporter in the world except the United States, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands, which cannot be ignored. Judging from past performance, Japan’s export of waste paper was the highest in 1998. In that year, the United States exported 7.364 million tons to Japan, and Japan to 561,000 tons, the ratio was 7.6%, compared with 3.7% in 1999 and 2000 respectively. And 3.9%, showing a shrinking state.

Why did Japan's waste paper increase sharply last year? In addition to the sluggish papermaking industry in Japan, the most important issue is Japan’s improvement of waste recycling regulations, which has led to a significant increase in the recovery of waste paper.