Yuriko Koike
"Furoshiki" usage declined in the post-war period, in large part due the proliferation of paper and plastic bags available to shoppers. In recent years, however, it has seen a renewed interest as environmental protection has become a greater concern. In 2006, Japanese Minister of the Environment, Yuriko Koike, showcased a specially-designed "furoshiki" cloth to promote environmental awareness. In 2020, "The Observer" reported a growing interest in "furoshiki" in the UK, in part as a response to its perceived greater environmental sustainability compared to traditional single-use wrapping paper.