Struggling Finances Experienced by Solo Parents During School Holidays
Japanese single-parent households with low incomes are facing significant financial challenges during long school breaks, according to a survey conducted by the Tokyo-based nonprofit organization, Good Neighbors Japan [1]. The survey revealed that many families struggle as rising food costs and utility bills exacerbate their financial difficulties when school lunches are not provided during these periods.
The survey, which covered users of Good Neighbors Japan's food distribution service for low-income single-parent households, found that approximately 60% of these households struggle financially during long school breaks [1]. An additional 36.4% of respondents reported that their finances are "somewhat strained" during these periods, while 32.2% of respondents indicated that their children eat twice a day or less during long school breaks [1].
Key support systems and coping mechanisms for these families include food bank programs, parental sacrifice, government subsidies, and education financial support. Organizations like Good Neighbors Japan run food bank programs such as “Good Gohan,” which distributes free groceries to low-income single-parent households, helping alleviate some food insecurity during school holidays [1].
However, many parents resort to cutting their own food intake to ensure their children have enough to eat. Some parents reported living off leftovers, and several noted severe health consequences from insufficient food [1].
While the Japanese government offers subsidies related to housing, healthcare, and childcare that may indirectly support low-income families, there is no specific mention in the search results of direct meal subsidies or holiday meal programs for low-income single-parent households during school vacations [2]. To improve socioeconomic mobility, the government provides tuition-free public and private high schools from 2026 and expanded financial aid for higher education for low-income families. However, this does not directly address meal provision during school breaks [3].
The survey did not find any information suggesting a decrease in the number of households facing financial difficulties during long school breaks or any potential changes in the number of households with low incomes in Japan. The survey results also did not provide any information regarding the impact of the survey results on the policies or actions of the Japanese government or other organizations [1].
The survey did not provide any information regarding the potential long-term effects of the financial struggles faced by these households during long school breaks. The survey was conducted online between June 3 and 11, and it analyzed the valid responses of about 2,100 people [1].
References: [1] Good Neighbors Japan (2025). Survey on the Impact of School Breaks on Low-Income Single-Parent Households. Retrieved from [www.goodneighborsjapan.org](http://www.goodneighborsjapan.org) [2] Government of Japan (2022). Subsidies for Low-Income Families. Retrieved from [www.gov.jp/policy/subsidies/lowincome.html](http://www.gov.jp/policy/subsidies/lowincome.html) [3] Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan (2021). Education Financial Support for Low-Income Families. Retrieved from [www.mext.go.jp/b_menu/hakusho/2021/pdf/003/00310101.pdf](http://www.mext.go.jp/b_menu/hakusho/2021/pdf/003/00310101.pdf)
Despite the Japanese government's efforts to support low-income families through subsidies, there is no direct meal subsidy or holiday meal program for low-income single-parent households during school vacations [2]. To ease some food insecurity during school holidays, organizations like Good Neighbors Japan run food bank programs such as “Good Gohan,” distributing free groceries to eligible households [1]. budgeting and personal finance are particularly important for these families during long school breaks, as approximately 60% of respondents to a survey by Good Neighbors Japan struggled financially during these periods [1].
