1 In 6 The Number Of Children In Japan Living In Relative Poverty

Although Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has stated there is "no way" Japan is in poverty, statistics show that 54% of single-parent families, and 16% of children, are living below the poverty line. Matthew Hernon investigates the country’s hidden crisis.

When Hiroko Kondo opened Japan's first children's café (kodomo shokudo) in 2012 she had no idea the impact it would have. Owner of a vegetable shop called Kimagure Yaoya Dandan, she decided to use the space to create an environment where children – either living in relative poverty or left alone in the evenings – could eat healthy dinners twice a month at heavily discounted prices. Five years on and there are now hundreds of stores like it throughout the country.

“A friend working at an elementary school nearby told me one student wasn’t eating properly because of a sick mother,” Kondo says. “She wasn't able to cook so there were days when the child would eat school lunch and a banana, and that was it. You see so much food around, it shocked me that there were people not getting enough. I wanted to do something, but it took me two years to decide, and by the time I finally did, the child in question had left home to live in an institution. I regret waiting so long, yet at the same time I'm glad this café has inspired others to do something similar."

Kondo estimates there are around 400 children’s cafeterias in Japan right now. Some offer meals for free, occasionally with the proviso that the children help out, others charge a small amount. At Dandan – located in Hasunuma, Tokyo – minors can enjoy an organic meal for the price of one coin; any coin. Initially bimonthly, the service is now open every Thursday from 5:30pm. During our visit, the shop, which seats around 20 people, filled up quickly. On other days, the place is often used as a classroom with lessons for adults and kids.