‘Children’s cafeterias’ in Japan hit record 12,601 sites, survey reveals

The number of kodomo shokudō “children’s cafeterias,” which provide free or low-cost meals mainly to children in need in Japan, has reached a record 12,601 this fiscal year, according to a survey by a nonprofit organization.

The total rose by more than 1,700 from the previous fiscal year, said the survey released Thursday by Musubie, a Tokyo-based nonprofit supporting kodomo shokudō programs nationwide.

The nonprofit organization said the expansion reflected efforts by central and local governments to create comfortable spaces for children.

“We aim to create an environment that makes it easier to start and sustain kodomo shokudō programs,” Musubie head Rie Mishima said at a news conference.

Musubie also released the results of a separate survey conducted in July and August among the operators of 1,518 kodomo shokudō cafeterias across the country, which showed that 84.7% of respondents feel the impact of price increases on their activities.