Rental Cloth diaper services in Japan and Cloth Diaper Day

Today, and June 11th annually, is Cloth Diaper Day 布おむつの日 (Nuno Omutsu no Hi) in Japan. It was established by the Kansai Diaper Lease Cooperative, an organization known for its long history of providing rental cloth diapers and promoting their benefits.

Cloth diapers are now called "nuno", but they were traditionally called "mutsuki". Thus, the company chose 6/11 for the date of the anniversary as June is mutsu (the sixth month) and the 11th can be read as “ii” meaning good. They found it a fitting date. The purpose of Cloth Diaper Day is to highlight the gentle, skin‑friendly qualities of cloth diapers for babies and older adults alike, while also encouraging awareness of their environmental advantages.

Cloth diapers reduce waste compared to disposable ones, which generate large volumes of trash after single use. The cooperative also works with national diaper‑rental associations and the Japan Diaper Industry Promotion Association to spread knowledge about sustainable diaper options. Cloth diaper rental services in Japan began about fifty years ago and now include around one hundred businesses. These services wash, disinfect, and fully dry the diapers using specialized equipment before delivering them to homes, easing the burden on families and caregivers.