Despite decreasing waste generation in Japan, the capacity of landfills is also decreasing, leading to an ongoing challenging situation. Reducing household waste is crucial in order to reduce CO₂ emissions. To do this is necessary for individuals’ behavior to change. This study examined consumer behavior and awareness of household waste to explore waste reduction possibilities using a workbook that utilizes insights based on nudge theory.

  We asked 70 students to weigh their waste for one regular week. Over the following two weeks, we conducted waste reduction seminars and instructed them to measure their waste with a focus on reduction. A questionnaire survey was also administered.

  The survey revealed a 29% reduction in household waste, with combustible waste decreasing by 33%, food waste by 15%, paper by 31%, and plastics by 25%. The questionnaire survey indicated improvements in waste separation behavior, as well as increased awareness and practice of waste reduction. Moreover, there was a growing prioritization of waste reduction and the environment over cost and convenience. These findings suggest the potential to reduce household waste through enhanced awareness and waste reduction practices via education.

  The number of students with food allergies has increased in recent years. Thus, schools need to implement relevant measures in settings involving food, such as school meals and cooking practice. The present study aimed to investigate and analyze the extent to which schools implemented measures in accordance with "Guidelines for Managing Food Allergies in School Meals" and "Guidelines for Measures Concerning Allergic Diseases at Schools". This study also sought to elucidate issues in schools' management of food allergies.

  A nationwide questionnaire survey was conducted via mail and the internet between October and December 2022 among home economics teachers at junior high schools located in each of the 47 prefectural capitals of Japan. A total of 2,490 questionnaires were distributed and 585 responses (response rate, 23.5%) were obtained.

  The results were as follows. Among the junior high schools surveyed nationwide, 30.1% had established a food allergy management committee, 83.2% presented a list of students with food allergies to all teachers, and 73.7% provided food allergy management training to teachers. These findings indicate that measures recommended in guidelines have not been sufficiently implemented. Differences were also seen in terms of methods of providing school meals. Among the home economics teachers, 80.5% were aware of the proportion of students with food allergies, and 10.6% had experienced near-accidents during cooking practice. These results underscore issues in the provision of safe dietary education.

  Cambodia's education system has been gradually improving since the civil war of the 1970s. However, it has been noticed that it is necessary to improve educational programs and to address the issues of inadequate school facilities and a lack of classrooms. As part of our study, a survey was conducted on the everyday housework of Cambodian elementary school, junior high school, and high school students. We investigated how everyday housework related to home economics education as students progressed from elementary school to high school. The results were as follows:

  (1) The three tasks for elementary school, junior high school, and high school students before going to school were "doing laundry", "cleaning rooms" and "helping mother with work". In addition, the four tasks after school were "doing laundry", "cooking meals", "cleaning up after meals" and "helping mother with work."

  (2) With regard to the practices of individuals, significant differences were shown in three areas between elementary school, junior high school and high school students. These were "understanding nutrition", "ability to clean" and "ability to keep the house tidy".

  There were four areas the students wanted to know more about: "how to do laundry", "how to clean", "how to organize the house" and "nutrition". This was particularly noticeable among elementary school students.

  (3) In order to clarify the differences in everyday housework between the different types of schools, we compared the practices and requests for information of elementary and junior high school students, who had a high discrimination accuracy rate. In terms of practices like "understanding nutrition", "ability to do laundry", "disposal of garbage in designated places", "ability to cook" and "ability to clean" as well as requests for information on "how to clean", "how to cook" and "nutrition", elementary school students were more likely to have a positive opinion.

  Based on the analysis, it is considered that home economics education in Cambodia needs to improve the content of its education in terms of both knowledge and skills regarding everyday housework especially in junior high schools and high schools in Cambodia.