It is said that among children under 18 living in Japan, about one in seven does not have enough to eat.
Japan is considered a developed country by global standards, but poverty that is difficult to see is in fact widespread.
Children’s cafeterias are initiatives that provide nutritious meals to children living in poverty.
Children’s cafeteria initiatives have been spreading in Japan in recent years, but awareness is still not high.
In fact, in Soja City, Okayama Prefecture, a company employee started a children’s cafeteria alongside his regular job for local children.
Morikawa Tetsuya, who is from Soja City, established the children’s cafeteria “Soja Shokudo Kuu Neru Asobu” for local children.
Through the children’s cafeteria, he has planned events designed to satisfy not only the stomach but also the heart.
We introduce how Morikawa engages with children through “Soja Shokudo Kuu Neru Asobu,” and why he started the children’s cafeteria.
The information provided is as of the article’s publication in June 2023. Please note that it may differ from current information.
What is Soja Shokudo Kuu Neru Asobu?
In November 2017, the children’s cafeteria “Soja Shokudo Kuu Neru Asobu” was established in Soja City.
We’ll introduce how “Soja Shokudo Kuu Neru Asobu” came about and what kinds of events it holds.
Overview of Soja Shokudo Kuu Neru Asobu
“Soja Shokudo Kuu Neru Asobu” is a children’s cafeteria held at Coop Soja Higashi.
It takes place in the morning on either the third or fourth Sunday of each month.
Children’s cafeterias play an important role in supporting children’s development and serve as important hubs for addressing child poverty and fostering community exchange.
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare | Children’s Cafeteria Support Initiative
The main activities in May 2023 included distributing boxed meals and daily necessities, as well as giving away food free of charge.
In addition, a distinctive feature of “Soja Shokudo Kuu Neru Asobu” is that it provides a place for children to play.
Before the spread of COVID-19, they held meals where participants enjoyed dishes made with donated ingredients together.
They have also planned events where children can learn while having fun, such as enjoying a magic show by a magician active in Soja City, and inviting an international cooperation NGO to build cardboard beds and experience life in an evacuation shelter during a disaster.
The operating team consists of local adults who came together in support of representative Morikawa Tetsuya’s vision.
High school students from Soja City also help out as volunteers.
Background of representative Morikawa Tetsuya
Morikawa Tetsuya, representative of “Soja Shokudo Kuu Neru Asobu,” is from Soja City and currently lives in Okayama City.
His main job is in general affairs and accounting at a clothing retail company in Kurashiki City.
He has continued his activities across three bases: community activities in Soja City, daily life in Okayama City, and work in Kurashiki City.
Morikawa first thought of establishing a children’s cafeteria when he turned 40.
As he raised his children, he came to recognize as a personal concern the existence of children struggling to afford food.
He wondered if there was something he could do, and a children’s cafeteria was what came to mind.
With the help of the Soja City Council of Social Welfare and various local committee members, he established “Soja Shokudo Kuu Neru Asobu” a year later.
Since 2017, he has planned a children’s cafeteria every month without fail.
Visiting Soja Shokudo Kuu Neru Asobu
Children’s cafeterias are expanding across the country.
Among them, what kind of children’s cafeteria is “Soja Shokudo Kuu Neru Asobu,” held on the second floor of Coop Soja Higashi?
Before Soja Shokudo Kuu Neru Asobu begins
The writer attended the children’s cafeteria held on Sunday, May 28, 2023.
That day, nine students from Soja Minami High School came to volunteer.
The high school students had two roles: arranging the venue and sorting and setting out donated items, and assisting the nutrition committee members in the kitchen.
The writer joined the group sorting items at the venue and took part in a meeting with Morikawa and the high school students.
During the hour before opening, the writer’s group arranged daily necessities and food items and divided rice from 30-kilogram bags into nylon bags. The high school students worked efficiently to get everything ready.
Meanwhile, the group helping with cooking was assisting with preparing the boxed meals served at the children’s cafeteria, following instructions from local nutrition committee members.
Soja Shokudo Kuu Neru Asobu gets started
After 10 a.m., participants began arriving little by little.
At the 10:30 a.m. start time, they put out the noren (traditional shop curtain) for “Soja Shokudo Kuu Neru Asobu” and began registration.
The featured dish this time was a chicken katsu bento.
As only 80 meals were available, numbered tickets were handed out.
With meals costing 100 yen for adults and free for children, a long line had formed.
The boxed meals would be ready at 11:30 a.m., so there was some time to wait.
Until then, the high school students played with the children, coloring and drawing pictures together.
It was heartwarming to see the children happily chatting and spending time with the high school students.
Before the boxed meals were distributed, the first round of free food and daily necessities was handed out.
There was a limit on the number of items each person could take, so they were gone in no time.
At 11:30 a.m., the boxed meals were handed out in order of ticket number.
The 80 chicken katsu bentos sold out quickly.
Finally, the second round of free food and daily necessities was distributed, bringing all the children’s cafeteria activities to a close.
What participants are like
A total of 123 people took part in the event.
Among the participants was a mother holding her 10-month-old baby.
She said it was her first time attending.
She had learned about “Soja Shokudo Kuu Neru Asobu” through a flyer brought home by her elementary-school-aged child.
After the “Soja Shokudo Kuu Neru Asobu” event ended, we spoke with its representative, Morikawa Tetsuya, about the children’s cafeteria.
Soja Shokudo Kuneru Asobu details
| Name | Soja Shokudo Kuneru Asobu |
|---|---|
| Held | One Sunday each month, on varying weeks From 11:30 a.m. |
| Location | Soja Branch, Soja City Central Community Center, 2-18-18 Soja, Soja City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Participation fee (tax included) | Free |
| Website | Morikawa Tetsuya |
What would you like to know about Kurashiki?
Enter a keyword and we'll search the articles on this site
