“Packing is a constant battle between ‘What if I need this?’ and ‘Do I really need this?’
You cannot deny it. We’ve all been there.
What if you were given the option not to pack at all, not even to pack light when you travel? Japan has got you covered. More precisely, Japan Airlines (JAL) has it covered.
We all know and agree that Japan has always been known for its innovation. And now, Japan Airlines (JAL) has implemented a trial-based scheme for sustainable tourism.
JAL has partnered with the global trading company Sumitomo Corporation to ideate and implement a trial run of a concept where international passengers (tourists/business travellers) flying to Japan with JAL get the opportunity to try a clothes rental scheme called ‘Any Wear, Anywhere’.
The trial commenced on July 5, 2023, and continued til August 31, 2024.
How to Rent the Clothes?
‘Any Wear, Anywhere’ enables travellers visiting Japan to rent up to eight sets of clothes for a duration of up to two weeks. The apparel ranges from smart, smart casual, formal to mixed wear, tailored according to sizes (small, medium, large, extra-large), seasons, and various occasions. Additionally, collections for children are also available.
All you have to do is,
- Visit the ‘Any Wear, Anywhere’ Website Two Weeks before your Flight
- Select the Clothes
- Enter your Flight Reservation Number, Arrival and Departure Dates and Accommodation
- Pay
You can pick up the clothes at your hotel in Japan. Upon departure, you can conveniently drop them off at the same hotel where you collected them. The clothes will then be collected for washing and recycling.
The apparel is provided by Wefabrik, while the laundering and cleaning of the clothes are managed by Hakuyosha.
All travellers need to bring are the clothes they’re wearing, their valuables, and toiletries. As for additional clothing? ‘Any Wear, Anywhere’ has got it covered.
How much is the Rental Price?
The rental prices for the clothing scheme start at approximately $28 and can go up to $48, depending on the number of outfits you wish to rent. Passengers have the option to rent up to eight outfits for a duration of up to two weeks.
Why did Japan Airlines Launch the Scheme?
Japan Airlines hopes that this new service will encourage its customers to minimise their luggage, consequently helping the airline reduce its carbon emissions and pave the path for sustainable tourism.
How?
By renting clothes, passengers can reduce the weight of their luggage, subsequently reducing the overall weight of the aeroplane. This reduction in weight leads to decreased fuel usage, ultimately resulting in a reduction of carbon emissions.
According to the carrier, reducing weight by 1kg on a long-haul flight between New York and Tokyo could potentially eliminate 0.75 kilograms of carbon emissions.
Moreover, this scheme helps passengers save on baggage fees. It also saves travellers the hassle and time of packing and laundering their clothing. Additionally and interestingly, ‘Any Wear, Anywhere’ enables them to experiment with new styles without the pressure of making a purchase!
Future of ‘Any Wear, Anywhere’
The service is currently only available for passengers travelling to Japan with Japan Airlines. However, if the trial goes well, Sumitomo aims to extend the service to include more airlines in the Oneworld Airline alliance, like American Airlines, British Airways, Qantas, and Qatar Airways.
But there are two real-time questions:
- Is this process actually reducing carbon emissions?
- What happens to the carbon emissions from the vehicles that deliver the rented clothes to the passengers’ hotel?
I’m not certain if this idea will really cut down on carbon emissions or enhance sustainable tourism. But what I do know is, it’s going to make packing a whole lot easier for people.
Once again, Japan is making moves to make human lives easier by reducing manual work!
