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...
October 17 is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. Economic disparity is also increasing in Japan. One in seven people lives in relative poverty according to the comprehensive survey of living conditions by Ministry of Health...
Poverty exists even in developed countries. The term “working poor” originated in the U.S., referring to people who work but earn below the poverty line, the minimum income required to maintain a living. The issue is beginning to gain...
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...
Poverty holds people back and prevents them from making the most of their lives. It blocks opportunities for individuals, families and especially children. Child poverty continues the unfortunate cycle, as many children in lower-income households...
The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted and worsened existing inequalities. People with lower incomes and in less stable jobs are especially vulnerable. In Japan, many of these kinds of jobs are taken up by women. Japan’s emphasis on...
Young people all over the world face challenges regarding their life and employment. The job market is increasingly competitive, with more unstable work and a decreasing supply of career-track jobs. This is especially true for Japanese young people...
One may not think poverty is an issue in Japan. After all, Japan’s nominal GDP is ranked third globally. It is also advanced in both medical and technological aspects and is one of the world’s top consumption centers. Yet, poverty...
The Big Issue Japan, a social magazine sold by homeless people on the streets, is now taking up the issue of food waste by running a bakery that only opens at night. Yoru no Panya-san (Night-time Bakery) procures leftover bread from popular bakeries...