Sobering stats about summer break for some families in Japan

I don't think anyone would really argue that Japan is a first-world country. It's clean, safe, efficient, and in many ways offers an incredible quality of life. However, living here has also taught me that "surface level" appearance doesn't mean everyone's thriving. Like anywhere else, there are families who are most definitely struggling behind closed doors.

A new survey by nonprofit Kidsdoor (reported on via the Japan Times) highlighted just how difficult summer can be for low-income households here. With schools closed, many children lose access to school lunches, leaving parents to stretch their already tight budgets even further. Nearly two-thirds of families surveyed said they expect to reduce the amount of food served at meals during the holidays, while more than 60% anticipate going without meat or fish more often. Almost half said there will be days when their children won't eat three meals.

The survey also found that many parents plan to limit their use of air conditioning despite the intense summer heat, simply because they can't afford the electricity bill. That's a worrying thought when heat-related illnesses are becoming more common each year, another thing which has been covered quite a bit in the media over recent days. 

I think the most heartbreaking finding wasn't just about food or electricity, but loneliness. Many parents said thinking about the summer holidays leaves them feeling deeply depressed, and half said they have nobody to turn to for support.