Speculating: I think its a form of marketing. In the US and in Europe, people don't care too much about the thickness of the plastics but in Japan and some other asian countries, thick plastic wrapping is a sign of good quality.
this post was submitted on 26 Mar 2024
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This is it.
I've previously lived in Japan and there is always so much wrapping!
A large amount of packaging creates a perception of quality, as if a lot of care has been taken in the product, and culturally that sells well.
Kinda ironic as another thing you see everywhere in Japan is 'eco' this and 'green' that, they are very big on the perception of "saving the environment" and yet everything is covered in so much unnecessary plastic.
It's also a form of security. If its a small item a large plastic package makes it more difficult to shoplift, tamper, or use before purchasing. It also adds an additional level of protection during shipping.
I don't really think Japan has a worse issue than basically most other European and american companies. I'd be surprised if Japan has a higher shoplifting rate than the countries in the Americas to where individualized plastic wrapping is actually a deterrent. Maybe security theater i guess.
Ok, I guess that's the answer then. :/
I sometimes wonder why anything is wrapped in plastic at all. So many products are wrapped in plastic for seemingly no other reason than to indicate that itβs unopened.
Ive always thought organic produce on a Styrofoam plate wrapped in plastic was a bit ironic
Is that a thing? I guess I don't see styrofoam much anymore for containers.
If itβs edible, plastic help with preserving the food a bit longer. If itβs wet or moist, the plastic will prevent the product from making a big mess.
You could use paper or cardboard too, and that would be good for the environment but bad for everything else. You could use metal or glass containers too, but thatβs really expensive and inconvenient. Plastic is the most appealing option as far as manufacturing, shipping, storage and sales are concerned.
In order to change that, you would need to vote for politicians who make plastic more expensive for the companies.
Are those products imported from Asia?
If so the transport might require packaging them to survive the trip.
I doubt that. For one, it's not just exported foods β similar types of packaging are used at least in Japan domestically.
For two, I'd presume that in either case, domestic and export, the retail packaging is shipped within a carton within a carton and then wrapped in cling foil and placed on a palette. Iow, the packaging shouldn't need to be hardier for export, because the outer layer(s) of corrugated cardboard and extra plastic should take any occurring damage.
I know on the multiple boxes issue it's because of differing rules on wall thickness & sturdiness from country to country. So I'm wondering if there's a country that requires a specific plastic thickness for products. Then it would just be the manufacturer using the lowest common denominator that works worldwide, instead of having multiple SKUs or having to repackage it.
No, plastic wrapping is just as big in Asia. There's a cultural belief that plastic = processed = sanitary/refined.
Inside Japan's plastic wrapping obsession | CNN (pardon the sensationalist headline.)
It can be a signal for caring and cleanliness. I know I've experienced restaurants in China where they deliver the dishes and cutlery you will be eating off of in shrinkwrap to signal they are clean, plus provide you a bowl to "rinse" the dishes in tea to make sure they are hygenic. Always thought that was really strange.