Interview with Mr. Naoshima, Representative of Okayama Children's Cafeteria Support Center
We interviewed Mr. Katsuki Naoshima, the representative of the Okayama Children's Cafeteria Support Center, about the impetus for the network's initiatives and the current state of children's cafeterias.
Building a Community-Based Network
What prompted you to establish a city-wide network?
Naoshima
Originally, we started a network across Okayama Prefecture in 2017, and since the fiscal year 2022, I have been involved in network building at the prefectural bureau level.
However, Okayama Prefecture is vast, and I judged that there was a need for more visible relationships and an accessible environment for consultation, leading to the establishment of networks by city area, referencing initiatives in Yamaguchi Prefecture.
The Increasing Number of Children's Cafeterias and Emerging Issues
What issues do you perceive regarding the current state of children's cafeterias in Okayama Prefecture?
Naoshima
The number of children's cafeterias is increasing, but when looking at the fulfillment rate by elementary school districts, the reality is that they are still insufficient.
However, activities are active in every region, and the connections that transcend positions and generations are a significant change. I feel that children's cafeterias are beginning to serve as a social infrastructure for the community, becoming a driving force for the region.
On the other hand, for children's cafeterias to continue to exist in the community, I believe that a collaborative system that transcends the boundaries of institutions and systems, such as schools, where more children are involved, is further necessary.
Additionally, while children's cafeterias are becoming widely known, there are often expectations that exceed their original purpose. Since they are fundamentally voluntary and proactive private activities of the community, it is necessary to draw a line with what should originally be the public responsibility.
While children's cafeterias can serve as an entry point for connecting with the community, we need to be cautious of the "excessive expectations" that they alone can solve community issues.
A Support System Accessible to Everyone
What is the most important message you want to convey through the network?
Naoshima
The most important thing I want to convey through the network is that "children's cafeterias are a nearby initiative, right next to the community."
I also hope that when people think, "I want to do something for children and the community," they can use it as a place for easy consultation.
I would be happy if the network could serve as an opportunity for children and community members to feel that "there are people who care about us."
Please give a message to those who want to get involved with children's cafeterias in the community.
Naoshima
When I look at the activities of each children's cafeteria, I see that they are all run by people who care about children and the community.
Moreover, with the involvement of businesses and government, I feel that it has become a shared asset of the entire community. This shared asset is referred to as "commons", and it is something that is indispensable for the future of the community.
Commons
Shared assets that are supported, protected, and nurtured by everyone in the community or society, rather than belonging to a specific individual.
By involving more people, including children, let’s create a place where connections with society naturally arise, and a system that ensures that the voices of children and the community reach society properly.
Participating in the Children's Cafeteria Launch Meeting & Exchange Event
In the field surrounding children's cafeterias, there are still many challenges, such as operational concerns and funding issues.
However, at this launch meeting and exchange event, I felt that as people met face-to-face and talked, a gradually emerging "sense of security" was being created.
I hope that a system that can be sustained naturally within the community will continue to expand in the future.
Data from the Children's Cafeteria Area Network Launch Meeting & Exchange Event
| Name | Children's Cafeteria Area Network Launch Meeting & Exchange Event |
|---|---|
| Date | August 23, 2025 (Saturday) |
| Location | 3-1-102 Chuo, Soja City, Soja Central Community Center, Room 1 |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | Free |
