According to countless posts on Instagram Reels, Japan is turning footsteps into electricity and the algorithm really wants you to know.

Reels has been taken over by a copypasta about a new technology that's taking Japan by storm and now it's becoming a meme as users notice it on more and more viral videos.

So, what exactly is the "Japan is turning footsteps into electricity" copypasta and where does it come from? Here's what we know.

What Is The 'Japan Is Turning Footsteps Into Electricity' Copypasta?

The "Japan" copypasta is inspired by something called "piezoelectric technology," a technology that turns mechanical pressure into energy.

In 2025, articles were published by websites like Parametric Architecture about Japan using this technology to make tiles. That means that whenever the tiles are stepped on, they turn the force of a person's footsteps into electricity.

As early as November 2025, Instagram Reels accounts started using a copypasta about this technology in the descriptions of their videos. The exact source of the copypasta is unclear.

The reason for copy-pasting this purportedly has to do with the Instagram algorithm. It is hypothesized that the algorithm favors posts with long, informative descriptions. This is just a theory though, which is supported by the number of viral posts that feature the copypasta.

How Is The 'Japan Is Turning Footsteps Into Electricity' Copypasta Used In Memes?

While the copypasta is usually used in the description of Instagram Reels posts, it is now being referenced in memes. These memes started popping up in February 2026 as Reels users became increasingly aware of the copypasta.

As a meme, the idea of Japanese people generating electricity with their footsteps is used as a punchline.

Some popular examples of the meme include an image macro about Japan accepting an award for generating electricity with their footsteps, and a meme that represents Electro from Spider-Man as a Japanese person who has generated too much electricity.

What Are Some More 'Japan Is Turning Footsteps Into Electricity' Memes?

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For the full history of the Japan Is Turning Footsteps Into Electricity Copypasta, be sure to check out Know Your Meme's encyclopedia entry for more information.