“Womanhood in Japan” series column rounds up Japanese news related to women’s daily experiences of sexism here and considers what we can do to increase the pace of change. Nobel prize winner calls out Japan’s lack of labor-market progress for women...
Soup Stock Tokyo, a popular specialty soup restaurant chain, has announced the introduction of baby food and Kids’ Sets to its menu in all locations. As customers’ life stages change, the company has seen an increase in families with...
“Kodomo Takushoku” program embarks on a new challenge: crowdfunding through Furusato Tax donations. Kodomo Takushoku, a food delivery program for economically struggling households in Bunkyo Ward, hopes to raise the potential for a...
In their quest to “eliminate children’s opportunity gaps,” Nessu Corporation is taking an innovative approach. By establishing a fully operational food bank system and partnering with local businesses and organizations, they aim to...
Christmas is a special annual event for Japanese children when they can receive what they want simply by asking for it. However, according to the national survey of Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare in 2019, one in seven children in Japan lives...
Relative poverty is a problem not only in developing countries but also in developed countries. Relative poverty refers to being poorer than the majority of people in a country or region compared to absolute poverty, which is the inability to meet...
A nonprofit organization “WAIKI” from Lifecare Vision Co., Ltd., operates assisted living residences for the elderly. Recently, it has launched “Ikinuki cafe,” meaning stress relief cafe, in Osaka for children going through a tough time but who do...
Japan saw its first picture book hotel, EHON HOTEL, open two weeks ago. This hotel is designed from a child’s perspective. Unlike a typical hotel for rest, EHON HOTEL is made for children to read, play and enjoy, while the parents have amenities...
It’s been a wild year. Japan hoped to see the end of COVID in 2021, especially with its implementation of vaccinations. It has affected all aspects of life, which pains us with each news of loss and pain. But certain local governments have been...
Zenbird Media has covered a myriad of topics in 2021. While changes in Japan are slow, the editors of Zenbird do see positive changes and have identified possible solutions (even though, we hoped for more speed). Despite the 2nd year of...