Summer Vacation Dining at Risk: The Number of Children Eating "Two Meals or Less a Day" Increases by About 2.5 Times. The Reality of the "School Lunch Gap" and Rice Shortage

In the summer of 2025, Japan is facing a severe "void" at children's dining tables due to rising prices and soaring rice costs. A survey conducted in June by the certified NPO Good Neighbors Japan (GNJP) revealed that the proportion of children who can only eat "two meals or less per day" during long school breaks increases to about 2.5 times (32.2%) compared to during the school term. The background includes household financial strain (about 40%) and parents' lack of time (about 30%), with many expressing concerns that their children are "not eating enough rice outside of school meals." Another survey reported that 41% of single-parent households experience "two meals or less per day" during the summer vacation. Additionally, the retail price of rice continues to rise significantly from the previous year, further straining household budgets. While public assistance is expanding, such as the complete waiver of school lunch fees for public elementary and junior high schools throughout Tokyo starting January 2025, there is an urgent need to develop community infrastructure (such as children's cafeterias and food pantries) and support for household finances and nutrition to address the nutritional imbalances and meal shortages occurring during the "gap" of summer vacation. This article analyzes the structure of the crisis based on the latest data and presents practical strategies that families, communities, and governments can implement this summer.