Debate Over Allowing Furikake in School Lunches

Feb 22, 2024 | News On Japan

HYOGO, Feb 22, 2024 (News On Japan) - A controversy has arisen over the practice of bringing furikake (a Japanese rice seasoning) to school lunches at a middle school in Hyogo Prefecture.

Many students leave rice uneaten... A request to "bring furikake" emerges

During lunchtime, students are seen sprinkling furikake on their white rice.

At a middle school in Kawanishi City, Hyogo Prefecture, bringing furikake for school lunches has been allowed since the second term of last year.

Kawanishi City stated, "We started this practice in response to requests from students who wanted to bring furikake to their school lunches."

Since September of the year before last, when school lunches started in middle schools in Kawanishi City, many students have been leaving their rice uneaten.

As a result, the city solicited opinions from students on how to improve the situation, and the request to "bring furikake" emerged. The city agreed to allow it, with conditions such as limiting it to one individually packaged serving and prohibiting exchanges between students.

Some city council members question the decision: "Isn't this too hasty?"

However, some city council members have raised questions.

Kawanishi City Council Member Michi Kuroda said, "School lunches are managed with a thorough nutritional balance and hygiene, and precautions are taken to prevent accidents like food poisoning. The fact that food from home can be brought in so smoothly to this environment is a crisis and a threat to me."

The Director of Education Promotion in Kawanishi City responded, "We started this after thoroughly discussing safety and hygiene internally."

Kuroda further questioned, "But is furikake really the solution to reducing food waste?"

Additionally, the council member pointed out issues beyond nutrition and hygiene.

Kuroda argued, "Eliminating white rice = commercial furikake seems too hasty. If we're really considering SDGs, should we be increasing the waste from furikake packets?"

40% of students who bring furikake say "they leave less rice uneaten"

People in the city commented on the practice of bringing furikake to school lunches:

A person in their 70s said, "I think it's good. If it helps them eat more rice. When I was hospitalized, I couldn't eat white rice, but I could eat it with furikake."

A person in their 50s mentioned, "If furikake is okay, then what about bringing soy sauce to put on side dishes, or adding salt? It might lead to that."

In a survey, only 7.4% of students said they "bring furikake almost every day," while 77% said they "have never brought it."

However, nearly 40% of students who answered that they "bring furikake" reported that "they leave less rice uneaten."

The city plans to continue monitoring the situation and maintain the practice for the time being.

Source: ANN

Typhoons No. 28 and 29 Bring High Waves to Japan's Pacific Coast

Two typhoons moving across the Pacific southeast of Japan are expected to remain well away from the Japanese mainland, but powerful swells could bring rough seas to a wide stretch of the country's Pacific coastline throughout the three-day holiday weekend, according to forecasts updated at 3 a.m. on October 10.

Cyberattacks Spread Across Japan

A series of cyberattacks has disrupted business operations and exposed millions of customer records across Japan, with a ransomware attack on a cloud service provider affecting 495 companies and local governments nationwide, while convenience store operator Lawson has disclosed a separate breach involving more than 2.15 million personal information records.

Japan's First 360-Degree Projection Mapping Opens in Osaka

Japan's first 360-degree projection mapping show will open at the Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts on October 10, transforming the historic building into an immersive world of light, music, and seasonal imagery, with organizers hoping the attraction will also help stimulate the city's nighttime economy.

Tokyo University Professor Wins Nobel Prize in Chemistry

Tokyo University of Science professor emeritus Kenzo Soai has been awarded this year's Nobel Prize in Chemistry together with French chemist Henri B. Kagan for discoveries that transformed scientists' understanding of how chemical reactions can favor one of two mirror-image forms of a molecule.

US Military Halts All Okinawa Operations for 48 Hours

The US military suspended activities by all forces stationed in Okinawa for 48 hours from noon on October 7, an unusual measure following the arrest of a US Marine in connection with a robbery and murder case that has renewed scrutiny of crimes involving American service members.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Education NEWS

Child NISA to Begin in 2027 With Withdrawals Allowed From Age 12

Japan will launch a new tax-free investment program for children in January 2027, allowing parents to invest up to 600,000 yen a year on behalf of children aged 17 or younger while permitting withdrawals from age 12 for expenses such as education and living costs.

Japan’s Job Market Shifts With Economy

Japan’s highly competitive graduate recruitment market remains favorable for students, but signs of change are emerging as the average number of job offers held by candidates declines and companies experiment with new ways to secure talent.

Cyberattack on Osaka University Shuts Down 500 Servers

Osaka Metropolitan University has suspended classes across all faculties after a suspected ransomware attack shut down about 500 servers and disabled key campus systems, while officials investigate whether personal information relating to at least 130,000 students, graduates and employees was leaked.

How Recognizing Signs of a Dysfunctional Family Can Improve Relationships

Recognizing the patterns and issues within a dysfunctional family can be a transformative step toward improving personal relationships.

Japan Holds Sleep Contest With 2.22 Million Yen Prize

A first-of-its-kind sleep competition was held in Tokyo on October 5, with contestants competing for a 2.22 million yen top prize by trying to achieve the deepest, fastest and most stable sleep during a 90-minute session.

Japan's Technical College Graduates Are in High Demand

Graduates of Japan's colleges of technology, commonly known as Kosen, are attracting growing attention from employers, with the ratio of job openings to applicants exceeding 35 as companies increasingly seek graduates who can contribute immediately to the workforce, including major banks and securities firms.

Japan Faces Shortage of 20,000 Railway Workers

A major new railway training center equipped with full-scale tracks, crossings and signals has opened in Kasugai, Aichi Prefecture, as Japan's railway industry faces a growing shortage of skilled workers that could exceed 20,000 by fiscal 2028.

University of Tokyo Names First Female President

The University of Tokyo has selected professor Yuko Fujigaki, 64, as its next president, making her the first woman to lead Japan's most prestigious university.

< 2 3 4 5 >