1506 writes:
IIRC the same sized litterbins started to re-appear the 1980s. At
that time they were painted orange. My best guess is that they have
again been removed. This time due to the evil of islamic terrorism.
Do not expect them to return any time soon, if ever.

Same stupidity on some train-lines here in Tokyo. Apparently not in
reaction to any event of domestic terrorism (the only thing I know about
is the 1995 subway gassings), but rather in a silly post-9/11
"OMGthey'reeverywhere!" spate of pointless and annoying flailing about.

Very annoying when you've bought a snack at the start of an hour-long
train ride.

Meanwhile, _other_ lines in the same city have plenty of trash
receptacles...

[Other reactions included heavily equipped policeman standing on boxes
in train stations from which they could scan the crowds, to no apparent
end; the policeman have gone of course, but the trash bins don't seem to
have come back... guess which one costs money, and which one saves
costs.]

-Miles

--
Religion, n. A daughter of Hope and Fear, explaining to Ignorance the nature
of the Unknowable.