TAKAMATSU -- "Children's cafeterias" that offer free or low-cost meals to kids now number over 10,000 across Japan, the most ever, with the growth rate highest in the western prefecture of Tokushima. Amid rising prices, however, many of these facilities are struggling as they are run by volunteers on a nonprofit basis, with meals provided through donations.

On a day in December, this reporter visited a children's cafeteria located in the Kagawa Prefecture city of Takamatsu. The nonprofit parenting group Himawari opens the cafeteria, named "Minna no mame no ki shokudo" (Beanstalk cafeteria for all), three times a month. The place was lively as 27 parent-child groups, staff and others enjoyed interacting with each other.

Aside from 50 boxed meals with gyoza that were provided free of charge by national dumpling chain Gyoza no Osho, the group's staffers made minced meat rice dishes in the room's kitchen which were offered for 100 to 200 yen (65 cents to $1.30) apiece. Visitors were also able to take home free rice and other goods donated by farmers and others.

The nonprofit's head, Yoko Arisawa, 51, said that it's important to not set the bar for entry too high. A fourth-year university student and volunteer staffer, 22-year-old Rin Hiraoka, said, "It's not just a place to eat; it's a place to be for everyone." Meanwhile, Takemi Sakikawa, a 34-year-old company worker on maternity leave who was busily keeping her 1-year-old daughter under control, commented, "I also talk with the staff and get parenting advice here."

The Tokyo-based nonprofit organization Musubie, which supports children's cafeterias across the country, in December released preliminary figures compiled in a national survey for fiscal 2024 which found there were 10,866 such cafeterias nationwide -- up 1,734 from the previous year and exceeding the number of public junior high schools (approximately 9,200).

Tokushima Prefecture, which saw its share of children's cafeterias grow from 111 in fiscal 2023 to 162, had the highest growth rate, at 45.95%. Previously, in order to open a children's cafeteria, it was necessary to get permission from a local public health center to operate as a food vendor. The requirements called for a restaurantlike environment in terms of the number of sinks, ventilation and other things, but in March 2022 the regulations were eased.

Masako Saiki, chairperson of the "Tokushima children's cafeteria network," said, "The lowered capital investment burden may have contributed to the increase."

In nearby Kagawa Prefecture, the Kagawa Prefectural Council of Social Welfare in 2019 started operating a network to support children's futures, through which it supports the establishment of children's cafeterias. In addition to matching the facilities with volunteers, it also arranges for food and financial donations from businesses.

In some cases, companies are holding children's cafeterias as a place to support kids or provide for local community interaction. Tokyo-based FamilyMart Co. has since April 2019 operated "FamilyMart children's cafeterias" at spots such as eat-in spaces within its convenience stores. According to the company, these activities were halted due to the coronavirus pandemic, but have so far attracted around 7,700 participants. After eating, the children can also partake in workplace experiences such as operating tills and displaying products.

Price rises putting pressure on some groups

For many of the hosting organizations for the children's cafeterias, the ongoing rises in consumer prices in Japan have made things difficult. According to a survey conducted by Musubie in July and August last year, of some 1,300 organizations that operate children's cafeterias, 54.1% cited a lack of funds and 52.5% cited a lack of human resources as challenges. Based on these circumstances, the Japan Association of Corporate Executives linked up with Musubie, and 10 member companies provided approximately 87 million yen (roughly $560,000) worth of food, toys and other supplies for the year-end and New Year's holidays.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries views children's cafeterias as places for multigenerational exchange and shared meals, and is providing grants to local governments and groups that operate the cafeterias to support education on nutrition.

Musubie believes the cafeterias are growing in number because, among other things, they are giving children a "place to hang out" and their operation by companies is spreading.

A 32-year-old PR staffer who often goes to children's cafeterias with her 3-year-old son said that one of the good things about them is meeting other parents in a temporary, carefree way.

Musubie's 55-year old chairperson Makoto Yuasa commented, "Children's cafeterias are places where people can connect with society during normal times. In the event of a major disaster, they become places where people can help each other."

(Japanese original by Satoshi Kawahara, Takamatsu Bureau)