From our other sites
The story
On August 30, comedian Yasuko announced on her X (formerly Twitter) account that she has opened a children’s cafeteria called “Yasu-mattari.” Starting in September, it will offer free meals to children once a week. On 5ch, users voiced confusion over the “reservation-only” system and questioned the low frequency, asking what kids are supposed to do the other six days of the week. Others, however, defended the reservation system as a way to keep out trolls and inconsiderate users, while some praised the effort given how much of a burden it must be to run — leaving opinion split.
Yasuko opens a children’s cafeteria: “Starting in September, free meals for kids once a week” — official site launched
Comedian Yasuko updated her X account on the 30th to announce the opening of her children’s cafeteria, “Yasu-mattari.”
“I’ve opened the children’s cafeteria ‘Yasu-mattari’!! It’s all thanks to the many people who helped me — thank you so much!!” she wrote gratefully, adding, “Starting in September, we’ll be providing free meals to children once a week.”
Source: news.yahoo.co.jp / Original article here
What people said
Probably because there are trolls who'd show up just to mess around and cause trouble.
Because there are seriously people with zero morals out there.
Regular kid: "Ughh, I didn't make a reservation today but I'm hungry." "Mom, there's nothing here to eat!"
Regular kid: "Yasuko, can I come today too?"
Yasuko: "Sorry, it's reservation-only~"
Kids' cafeterias were originally meant to bring the community together. Somewhere along the way that turned into "aid." I asked a kid about it, and apparently you can't just casually drop in. …What even is that?
Why don't you cover the other six days yourself? If you can't, don't complain 😉
That's not true at all. It's a huge help.
That's exactly why it's "reservation-only" — they're not deciding next week's plans on a whim.
Does once a week really help that much? It does boost her image though.
The truth is always cruel.
If you're relying on something that might happen whenever, you'll starve waiting lol
If missing one meal a week is enough to kill a kid, they'd die regardless of whether the cafeteria exists lol. If a kid who wasn't going to die anyway gets lucky enough to use it, they just get a little happier — nobody loses out lol
Even if you're not relying on it, having it there is a huge help. The reservation-only system is a good thing.
You don't understand kids' cafeterias at all.
You call this the spotlight?
They hated it when the government used it for PR, saying things like, "Your job is to build a world where these cafeterias aren't needed in the first place."
At a proper kids' cafeteria, adults should technically be able to go too. I wandered in by mistake once — between the distinct atmosphere and the absurdly low prices, I doubt any self-respecting adult would actually want to use it.
There was a list of kids' cafeterias at the ward office, and adults pay 300 yen everywhere. As long as you've got the nerve to walk in, you're fine.
I mean, I think that's generally already how it works. I recall someone saying kids from poor families should feel free to use it without hesitation. Though I don't know what the people actually running it really think.
That kind of false even-handedness is exactly what fuels discrimination. There's no way a rich kid would ever go to a place like that.
That'd actually be great — a "grandpa and grandma cafeteria." It might be needed even more than kids' cafeterias. Though running it sounds like a total pain lol
Background and Key Points of This Discussion
Children’s cafeterias are a grassroots movement that spread nationwide starting around 2012, with most run on limited volunteer labor, food supplies, and venue costs, typically operating only one to four times a month. What split opinion in this thread was whether that low frequency is “pointless” or “enough just to keep it sustainable” — a structural issue common to children’s cafeterias in general, not unique to this one. It’s also worth noting that children’s cafeterias originally began not so much as poverty support but as community gathering spots for local kids, and there’s a persistent argument that narrowing down who’s eligible to use them can actually invite prejudice and isolation. While a celebrity’s involvement raises the profile of these cafeterias, how to weigh the practical burden and sustainability of running one is a question that comes up with celebrity charity work in general.
*This article is excerpted and summarized from the 5ch (Geinou/Sports News+) thread “[Celebrity] Yasuko opens a children’s cafeteria, “Free meals for kids once a week starting in September” — official site launched.”
Leave a Reply