this post was submitted on 31 Aug 2025
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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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[–] Eheran@lemmy.world 7 points 1 week ago (19 children)

What is the issue with this form compared to others?

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[–] Sunsofold@lemmings.world 6 points 1 week ago

I was thinking about these literally just yesterday. I'm wondering if they could be essentially replaced with something like those wax bottle candies. Maybe not the best for places that reach extreme temperatures but some places could do it without issue.

[–] HotDayBreeze@lemmy.world 5 points 1 week ago

Scrolling by I literally thought "Man, that candy looks delicious, what's this article about?" And then read the headline... 🫠

[–] arc99@lemmy.world 5 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

I've never seen these things before but it does seem like a waste of plastic. Even sachets of sauce shouldn't be handed out in most circumstances, at least for dine-in food in fast food places - use dispensers and paper cups. I wonder if there is a biodegradable sachet material which has a couple of years shelf life but degrades thereafter.

[–] k0e3@lemmy.ca 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I've been in Japan for 15 years but Idon't think I've seen these here in a long while. Maybe it's a regional thing?

[–] 6nk06@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)

It's sold in every sushi box in France. I guess it's a way to pretend it's a Japanese thing.

[–] k0e3@lemmy.ca 2 points 1 week ago

Interesting! I know we used to have them in Japan, but they must have phased them out over time because I didn't notice they were gone until I saw this article lol. I mostly see clear packets that you tear, similar to ketchup packets.

[–] gandalf_der_12te@discuss.tchncs.de 2 points 1 week ago (11 children)

I'm gonna say it:

The problem is not the fish-shaped plastic per se, but the fact that so much of it ends up in the ocean: Why do we still not collect and burn plastics properly? People throw their waste everywhere because there's not enough waste bins in comfortable walking distance. In Vienna, where waste bins are frequent on the streets (you basically never have to walk more than 30 meters to one, no matter where you sit and pause, somehow), there is literally no litter in the environment. No plastic articles or metal cans on the streets. Very rare cigarettes laying around. That's because Vienna has enough trash cans. Many cities don't have that and people have literally no choice to dispose of their trash properly because there's simply no trash cans around, so you either carry your dirty plastic packaging in your backpack and therefore sully your backpack with the grease on the packaging, or throw it into the environment.

Then, there needs to be strict laws that say that all plastic waste has to be burned, not dumped into the environment.

Then, biodegradable bioplastics would also mitigate this problem a lot.

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[–] x00z@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago

Al Gore is going to have a field day with this.

[–] NigelFrobisher@aussie.zone 1 points 1 week ago (1 children)

I’ve got a fridge drawer for these.

[–] HurricaneLiz@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago

I never knew these existed and now I kindof want one. Lol maybe I'll see one in an antique store in 40 years

[–] pyre@lemmy.world 1 points 1 week ago

is this like for food delivery?

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