In a bid to combat food waste, a new app offering unsold food items at half price has been launched in Japan. This unique initiative helps consumers secure good deals while reducing food waste and is expected to be a game-changer in how the country tackles excess food. It's unclear which stores are participating or how extensive this application will be, but the initial release has garnered positive feedback.

Food waste is a serious concern in Japan, with billions of yen worth of perfectly edible food being discarded each year. Many Japanese people deeply value mottainai, a concept of regret over waste, so this app could resonate positively. Furthermore, Japanese law also encourages reducing food waste.

In the US and EU, there are various similar initiatives, including apps like Too Good To Go and Olio which help reduce food waste by selling extra food from restaurants and stores at lower prices. While each region handles food waste differently, these apps are universally applauded for promoting environmental sustainability.