Gomi Hiroi

The concept of “Gomi Hiroi” — a community practice rooted in moral discipline— is deeply embedded in Japanese culture. “Gomi Hiroi” is a compound word made of two sub-words “Gomi” meaning garbage, litter or waste and “Hiroi” meaning picking up. Taken together, the concept “Gomi Hiroi” literally means “picking up trash” or “collecting litter.” More specifically, in Japan, it refers to a practice, even a cultural habit of keeping public spaces clean and taking shared responsibility for a clean environment and, in fact, is an integral part of their culture. It is one of the rich philosophical and cultural traditions in Japan which resonate genuinely and are practically useful, rather than merely lip-service.

The practice of “Gomi Hiroi” carries a much broader social, moral and philosophical compass than what might initially appear. Beginning with the most impressionable age, Japanese children in their earliest years participate in a practice called - “O Soji” — the communal cleaning of classrooms, corridors, and school premises carried out by the students themselves, devoid of janitors or any cleaning staff. This simple practice, where cleaning of classrooms is considered a shared responsibility, lays down the foundation for a more impactful adulthood b