#Japan #Yokohama #SmaGO #Forcetec #Yokohama Port Festival

Introduction

The 45th Yokohama Port Festival, held on June 1-2, 2026, showcased two innovative IoT smart trash cans, SmaGO, developed by Forcetec Inc., headquartered in Chiyoda, Tokyo. This event emphasizes environmental sustainability and is a key civic celebration, attracting around 800,000 visitors in recent years.

Features of SmaGO

SmaGO is powered by solar energy and features an automated trash compression system that reduces waste volume by approximately 80%. It also incorporates cloud technology to monitor waste accumulation, enhancing waste management processes. By preventing overflowing trash and improving collection efficiency, SmaGO significantly contributes to maintaining the aesthetic appeal and operational effectiveness of large-scale events.

Environmental Impact

The installation of SmaGO aligns with the festival theme, “Thanks to the Port,” celebrating the opening of Yokohama and appreciating the harbor. By fostering a clean and efficient disposal environment, the initiative aims to minimize waste flowing from the city into the sea, reinforcing the city's commitment to environmental preservation.

Background of the Yokohama Port Festival

The Yokohama Port Festival is a beloved celebration of Yokohama's port opening anniversary, held annually on June 2. In recent years, it has attracted significant crowds, reaching approximately 850,000 attendees in 2025. Such large-scale events often lead to a surge in waste generation, creating challenges such as overflow and increased collection duties. Given Yokohama's proximity to the sea, establishing an effective waste collection system is vital to prevent litter from entering marine waters.

SmaGO's Design and Promotion

The SmaGO units featured special wrapping designed in collaboration with the city of Yokohama to promote the Yokohama Green Expo (the International Horticultural Exhibition) scheduled for 2027. This strategic move aims to engage festival-goers actively and raise awareness for this upcoming event centered on the theme of “Coexistence with Nature.” The expo will take place from March 19 to September 26, 2027, at the former Kamisayama Communications Facility in the Asahi and Seya wards of Yokohama.

About the Yokohama Port Festival

This year, the 45th Yokohama Port Festival celebrated the contributions of the port from the citizens’ perspective. It was a true gathering of community spirit, with activities held across various locations, such as the waterfront park and Minato Mirai 21 district. The festival was organized to highlight Yokohama's vibrant community culture and appreciate the harbor's historical significance.

Quotes from the CEO

Yohei Takemura, CEO of Forcetec, expressed, "SmaGO aims to collect waste appropriately in urban areas, reducing the decrease of waste flowing into the sea. I am delighted to expand environmental actions together with festival-goers at an event that celebrates Yokohama's rich connection to the sea. We will continue working to protect both the ocean and the city of Yokohama."

Future Developments

Following the successful implementation of SmaGO at the Yokohama Port Festival, Forcetec is committed to exploring additional opportunities for deploying the smart trash cans in event settings where waste generation peaks within a short timeframe. The company aims to strategically place SmaGO in locations where they are needed most, promoting better waste management and sustainable urban development through both permanent and rental schemes.

About SmaGO

SmaGO is an eco-friendly IoT smart trash can developed by Forcetec, designed to operate on solar power while compressing waste and notifying collection needs through communication channels. This technology ensures a significant reduction in overflow and streamlines waste collection processes. The wrapping on SmaGO is customizable to enhance awareness of waste separation and can support sponsorship initiatives, cutting operational costs, as part of its commitment to the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

Examples of Implementation Benefits

• - Tokyo’s Omotesando-Harajuku Area: Reduced collection frequency by approximately 70%.
• - Osaka’s Dotonbori Area: Decreased litter by 90% surrounding the area (excluding cigarette butts).

About Forcetec, Inc.

With the motto “Empowering Circulation,” Forcetec strives to transform technology into a catalyst for sustainable social change, promoting responsible usage of limited natural resources. By providing solutions like SmaGO, the company collaborates with various stakeholders to advance a sustainable society.

Company Information

• - Name: Forcetec, Inc.
• - Founded: April 15, 2019
• - Location: 6th Floor, Otemachi One Tower, 1-2-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda, Tokyo
• - CEO: Yohei Takemura
• - Official Website: forcetec.jp

Contact Information

For inquiries, please reach out to:
Forcetec, Inc. Public Relations
Phone: 03-3453-7140
Contact Form: smago.jp/contact