Summer in Japan highlights inequality for families in poverty

As an expat in Japan, it's easy to get swept up in the romanticism of summer with things like matsuri, fireworks, and family outings. However, a new survey by the NPO Charity Santa has shown a much more sobering side of the season for many low-income families.

According to responses from nearly 4,000 households, half of children from economically disadvantaged families can't participate in the summer experiences they hope for, and one in six households have absolutely no budget for summer activities.

This "experience gap" is more than just a financial issue. Over 70 percent of parents reported feeling depressed about the long summer break. Open-ended responses revealed exhaustion, isolation, and emotional strain. Some families are unable to afford even basic cooling or meals during the heatwave, while others mentioned sadness watching their kids miss out as peers go on vacations.

One respondent (a second year junior high school student) wrote "We don't have air conditioning, the pool was abolished years ago, and there are no club activities. I wish summer vacation didn’t exist." 

As someone living in Japan with more financial stability (and as a parent of two kids myself), this was a stark reminder of the privileges many of us may take for granted. I feel like often summer here is framed as a magical time for kids, but that simply isn't the case for everyone.

In response, Charity Santa is running its "Share Cinema" campaign again this year, offering free movie tickets to eligible families. A movie may seem like a small gesture, but with many children listing theaters as their most-wanted summer destination (both for the experience and the air conditioning), it seems like a meaningful way to bridge the gap, at least a little.

If you're looking for ways to give back this summer, you can find more info on the project and how to donate here: https://sharecinema.charity-santa.com

Research results via PR Times: https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000000007.000050669.html