Delivering Taste and Nutrition to Children in Adachi Ward for 4.5 Years Since the Pandemic: Free Meal Support by Onigiri Shop Surpasses 10,000 Meals!
The 'Nigirimsubi Gift' project, run by the onigiri shop 'Nigirimsubi' and 'The 12th Player' in Adachi Ward, has reached a cumulative total of 10,000 meals provided. Since 2021, the project has established a sustainable community co-creation model to deliver nutritious meals to children in need.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 28, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 28, 2026 at 10:32
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 28, 2026 at 14:34 (4h 2m after Collected)
Okami of 'Nigirimsubi,' Akiko Yamamoto.
'Nigirimsubi Gift,' a meal support project for local children conducted by the onigiri shop 'Nigirimsubi' (located in Adachi Ward, Tokyo; Representative: Akiko Yamamoto) and 'The 12th Player' (located in Adachi Ward, Tokyo; Representative Director: Toshiaki Oshima), has surpassed a cumulative total of 10,000 meals (for a total of 10,000 people).
This project started in June 2021. 'Nigirimsubi' prepares nutritious bento boxes and delivers these delicious and nutritious 'gifts' (meals) for free to children in need through local NPOs and children's cafeterias.
'Nigirimsubi Gift' was born from a proposal by 'The 12th Player' and is operated mainly by 'Nigirimsubi.' Through a sustainable mechanism centered on a sponsorship system and individual support, they continue to provide meals to children in the community.
1. Surpassing 10,000 Cumulative Meals in 4.5 Years
At the start of activities in June 2021, the support began with 52 meals per month. Currently, it supports about 150 meals per month, and on March 5, 2026—four and a half years after starting—it surpassed the cumulative total of 10,000 meals. The meals delivered through 'Nigirimsubi Gift' contain approximately 550-600 kcal per serving and include 'Veggie Veggie Tonjiru,' which contains about 125g of vegetables—more than half of the ideal daily intake—paired with handmade onigiri. They continue to deliver taste and nutrition to children.
2. The Current Situation in Adachi Ward with Concentrated Low-Income Households
Adachi Ward has one of the highest numbers of welfare-recipient households among Tokyo's 23 wards. As of April 2025, there are 18,602 protected households and 23,025 protected persons, with a protection rate of 3.27%. In this social context, the need for activities to support children is increasing.
3. Adachi Ward's Regional Co-creation Model
'Nigirimsubi,' the core of 'Nigirimsubi Gift,' is located within 'Community Koen Teramachi House' in Higashi-Iko, Adachi Ward. With the concept of being the 'regional kitchen,' it is an onigiri shop where female staff from the community prepare and serve safe and secure ingredients sourced through local connections, all by hand.
Funds for preparing meals for 'Nigirimsubi Gift' are raised by recruiting sponsors (corporations, groups, etc.) for 8,800 JPY/month (covering 10 meals) and individual supporters for 2,970 JPY/month (covering 3 meals). (10 sponsoring organizations as of March 31, 2026).
Meals are continuously delivered for free to children through local child support groups such as NPOs and children's cafeterias. (9 child support groups as of March 31, 2026).
Public relations for 'Nigirimsubi Gift' are handled by 'Toneri Liner Notes,' a local media outlet in Adachi Ward operated by 'The 12th Player.' As part of the CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) activities of sponsors and supporters, they ensure project transparency through the management of the 'Nigirimsubi Gift' special page and regular reports.
By collaborating with child support groups that deliver meals, corporations and individuals who provide funds, and local media that disseminates information, 'Nigirimsubi' has built a stable and sustainable meal support system.
4. Case Study of Crowdfunding
At the start of 'Nigirimsubi Gift' during the height of the pandemic, a crowdfunding campaign was conducted. It gained 200 supporters and a total of 1,549,530 JPY, establishing a foundation for awareness and continued support.
5. Comment from Akiko Yamamoto, Okami of 'Nigirimsubi'
'Adachi Ward has many families in need of support. As a resident of the same area, I have continued this activity with the desire to deliver at least some nutrition to children. Reaching the milestone of 10,000 meals was possible thanks to the sponsors, child support groups, and the staff of Nigirimsubi.'
'Nigirimsubi Gift,' a meal support project for local children conducted by the onigiri shop 'Nigirimsubi' (located in Adachi Ward, Tokyo; Representative: Akiko Yamamoto) and 'The 12th Player' (located in Adachi Ward, Tokyo; Representative Director: Toshiaki Oshima), has surpassed a cumulative total of 10,000 meals (for a total of 10,000 people).
This project started in June 2021. 'Nigirimsubi' prepares nutritious bento boxes and delivers these delicious and nutritious 'gifts' (meals) for free to children in need through local NPOs and children's cafeterias.
'Nigirimsubi Gift' was born from a proposal by 'The 12th Player' and is operated mainly by 'Nigirimsubi.' Through a sustainable mechanism centered on a sponsorship system and individual support, they continue to provide meals to children in the community.
1. Surpassing 10,000 Cumulative Meals in 4.5 Years
At the start of activities in June 2021, the support began with 52 meals per month. Currently, it supports about 150 meals per month, and on March 5, 2026—four and a half years after starting—it surpassed the cumulative total of 10,000 meals. The meals delivered through 'Nigirimsubi Gift' contain approximately 550-600 kcal per serving and include 'Veggie Veggie Tonjiru,' which contains about 125g of vegetables—more than half of the ideal daily intake—paired with handmade onigiri. They continue to deliver taste and nutrition to children.
2. The Current Situation in Adachi Ward with Concentrated Low-Income Households
Adachi Ward has one of the highest numbers of welfare-recipient households among Tokyo's 23 wards. As of April 2025, there are 18,602 protected households and 23,025 protected persons, with a protection rate of 3.27%. In this social context, the need for activities to support children is increasing.
3. Adachi Ward's Regional Co-creation Model
'Nigirimsubi,' the core of 'Nigirimsubi Gift,' is located within 'Community Koen Teramachi House' in Higashi-Iko, Adachi Ward. With the concept of being the 'regional kitchen,' it is an onigiri shop where female staff from the community prepare and serve safe and secure ingredients sourced through local connections, all by hand.
Funds for preparing meals for 'Nigirimsubi Gift' are raised by recruiting sponsors (corporations, groups, etc.) for 8,800 JPY/month (covering 10 meals) and individual supporters for 2,970 JPY/month (covering 3 meals). (10 sponsoring organizations as of March 31, 2026).
Meals are continuously delivered for free to children through local child support groups such as NPOs and children's cafeterias. (9 child support groups as of March 31, 2026).
Public relations for 'Nigirimsubi Gift' are handled by 'Toneri Liner Notes,' a local media outlet in Adachi Ward operated by 'The 12th Player.' As part of the CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) activities of sponsors and supporters, they ensure project transparency through the management of the 'Nigirimsubi Gift' special page and regular reports.
By collaborating with child support groups that deliver meals, corporations and individuals who provide funds, and local media that disseminates information, 'Nigirimsubi' has built a stable and sustainable meal support system.
4. Case Study of Crowdfunding
At the start of 'Nigirimsubi Gift' during the height of the pandemic, a crowdfunding campaign was conducted. It gained 200 supporters and a total of 1,549,530 JPY, establishing a foundation for awareness and continued support.
5. Comment from Akiko Yamamoto, Okami of 'Nigirimsubi'
'Adachi Ward has many families in need of support. As a resident of the same area, I have continued this activity with the desire to deliver at least some nutrition to children. Reaching the milestone of 10,000 meals was possible thanks to the sponsors, child support groups, and the staff of Nigirimsubi.'