Mottainai is about respecting resources by avoiding waste, reflecting a belief system that encourages mindfulness about consumption and sharing responsibly.
'At school [in Japan] we were taught to use a resource as if it’s the last one, even if there’s plenty,' recalls Chen.
Using only what you need is a tenet of mottainai, applied not just to food but everyday resources like tape and running water.
From a young age, throwing away food was seen as a big no-no; mottainai teaches to take only what can be consumed.
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