A New Reuse System to Help Prevent Unused Items in Japan from Becoming Waste


Are you discarding items that are difficult to sell in Japan? Forgotten goods, outdated inventory, or items left behind?

Many organizations want to reduce disposal costs or take action on the SDGs, but aren’t sure where to start—or which items can be reused.

"BOOKOFF Group offers a corporate reuse consultation service to help companies and organizations recover and repurpose unused items before they are thrown away.
Let us help you turn what you once considered waste into value. Please don’t hesitate to contact us before you discard."

merchandise with minor defectsreturned stockclearance stockdisposal of lost-and-found items


Waste Reduction:

3,668 tons

Items Sold:

8.89 million items

Customers Served:

1.7 million people

2021 *12022年2023年
Number of JJJ stores (as of 12/end)8 stores11 stores13 stores
Number of customers using the service519 thousand1,256 thousand1,707 thousand
Number of sales3,168 thousand77,119 thousand8,899 thousand
Amount that could be reused1,105t2,892t3,668t

* 1Total period: January 1 - December 31

About Our Overseas Retail Chain

The number of stores shown in the video reflects data as of October 2023.


At BOOKOFF, our corporate reuse consultation service is built around a zero-waste mindset. We work closely with our overseas operations to ensure items are thoroughly reused, rather than discarded.

"We accommodate a wide range of needs and challenges faced by corporate clients—from excess inventory and returns to discontinued items and more.
Consultations and quotes are free of charge. Please feel free to contact us for more information."

well-used tablewarevintage fashion accessoriesseasoned kitchen tools

Examples of Acceptable Items

The following categories of items can be reused through our overseas retail chain.
Because we sell through our directly operated stores abroad, we are able to apply flexible reuse acceptance criteria based on local market demand.
In addition, with the cooperation of domestic reuse and recycling partners, we are able to accept a wide variety of item types, expanding the scope of our reuse solutions beyond conventional categories.


Hobby

Tableware & Sundries

Baby Products

Sporting Goods

Fashion

Furniture

Showa-era vintage items

Other items

At BOOKOFF, our corporate reuse consultation service supports businesses across many industries. We have received inquiries from a diverse range of companies and have accepted a wide variety of items for reuse.

"Below are just a few examples of the types of consultations we handle.
Whatever your situation may be, we encourage you to reach out to us first."

Retail


Unsold inventory / Returned goods

Food & Beverage


Equipment replacement / Store relocation

Hospitality (Hotels & Inns)


Lost-and-found items / Equipment replacement

Building Management


Abandoned items / Office relocation or closure

Warehousing


Excess inventory / Long-term stored goods

Rental Services


Rental returns / Equipment turnover

イInfrastructure (Public Transport, etc.)


Lost-and-found items

Logistics / Moving Services


Unwanted items from moving

Local Governments


Promoting reuse / Reducing incinerated waste

Since December 2021, BOOKOFF Group has been collaborating with Tokyu Corporation and its group companies to support a circular model of urban development—a city where items are not simply thrown away.
As part of this initiative, BOOKOFF utilizes its domestic and international store network to reuse or recycle unclaimed lost-and-found items collected at Tokyu railway stations, as well as aboard Tokyu Bus. These items, which have exceeded the legal holding period and could not be returned to their owners, are diverted from waste and reintroduced into circulation.
In addition, temporary buyback events are held at facilities along the Tokyu rail lines to encourage residents to sell unwanted items. Through these events, BOOKOFF aims to foster and promote a culture of reuse in the communities served by the Tokyu network.

As of January 2023, the initiative has successfully reused or recycled approximately 8,200 kg of unclaimed items.
As of January 2023

As part of its contribution to Okayama City’s vision for a circular society, BOOKOFF has partnered with Hirabayashi Metal Co., Ltd., the operator of Eco-bin—Japan’s first staffed resource collection station for general consumers.
Starting April 15, 2024, BOOKOFF began collecting reusable items at three Eco-bin locations within Okayama City. With this partnership, the list of accepted items at Eco-bin stations has expanded, improving convenience for local residents and enabling the recovery of a greater volume of unwanted goods.
Collected items are responsibly reused through sales at Jalan Jalan Japan, BOOKOFF’s overseas reuse store brand, ensuring that items are given a second life instead of being discarded.


※As of May 2024

At BOOKOFF Group, we collect reusable items from companies and organizations—particularly those that are difficult to utilize within Japan—and ship them overseas for reuse. As part of this initiative, we donate 1 yen for every kilogram of items shipped abroad to organizations working to address social and environmental issues.
By supporting a wide range of nonprofit and advocacy groups, we aim to extend our positive impact to more people and communities across various sectors.

We remain committed to collecting more unused items and promoting reuse, with the goal of creating a future in which items that would otherwise be discarded in Japan are instead used to support meaningful social contribution initiatives.

At our Malaysian reuse chain Jalan Jalan Japan (JJJ), each store is partnered with one local orphanage as part of our ongoing community support initiative. Every month, we invite children from these orphanages to visit our stores for special events.
During these visits, the children receive a shopping budget and have the opportunity to experience shopping for themselves—an activity that helps them learn basic concepts of money management and value while enjoying the joy of choosing and owning something. In addition, we host lunchtime gatherings with store staff, providing the children with smiles, encouragement, and warm memories.

As we continue to expand our store network toward our goal of 100 JJJ stores, we aim to increase the number of orphanages we can support and extend our reach to more children and communities across Malaysia.


Items we collect are first transported to our in-house processing yards, where they are sorted and categorized for reuse.

Reusable items are primarily shipped to our overseas directly operated stores, namely Jalan Jalan Japan, where they are well-received and appreciated by customers in local communities.

Through this system, approximately 60% of the items handled on behalf of corporate clients are successfully reused. This contributes not only to a reduction in disposal costs for our partners, but also to a significant reduction in environmental impact.

Our Overseas Reuse Chain: Jalan Jalan Japan (JJJ)

Jalan Jalan Japan, affectionately known as JJJ, is our overseas reuse retail chain that first opened in Malaysia in 2016. Based on the concept of “Preloved in Japan,” the stores offer items that were not sold at BOOKOFF locations in Japan, giving them a second life abroad instead of being discarded.
This initiative not only contributes to reducing waste by keeping products in circulation, but also creates meaningful employment, with over 400 local staff members currently working in our Malaysian operations.

As of now, we operate 10 stores in Malaysia, and have successfully launched a franchise store in Kazakhstan. With a mission to expand globally, Jalan Jalan Japan aims to build a more sustainable society through reuse, while contributing to the well-being of our employees, customers, communities, and the environment.



Q. Are any documents required to use the service?

Q. How are items transported?

Q. Where are the items sold?

Q. What regions is the service available in?