In what seems to be a clear case of "shrinkflation," citizens have noticed that the newly issued 20-liter government-designated trash bags actually hold only 15 liters. The reduction has been unannounced and caught the users by surprise, sparking a debate on consumer rights and responsibilities of the municipalities. The date or cause of this change remains unclear.

Japan has a strict waste management system with designated bags for waste types. The reduction in bag size would complicate waste disposal for Japanese households. This sparks discussions about government transparency, consumer rights, as well as environmental and societal responsibilities in terms of waste management.

Shrinkflation," or the reduction of product size while keeping the price the same, is a common occurrence globally. In the US or EU, such an issue could lead to lawsuits or demands for transparency. Waste management policies vary, but similar disputes would likely include discussions about cost-effectiveness, fair pricing, and environmental footprints.