8 Years Since the July 2018 Heavy Rains: Kitchen Car to Support Disaster Response and Single-Parent Households Launches in Uwajima City, Ehime Prefecture

Peace Boat Disaster Relief (PBV) (Representative Director: Takashi Yamamoto, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo) and U.grandma Japan (Representative Director: Yoko Matsushima, Uwajima City, Ehime Prefecture) are jointly advancing the "FOOBOUR" project in Uwajima City, aiming to provide continuous food support for single-parent households during normal times and in disaster situations.

This project utilizes a kitchen car and is being rolled out nationwide by PBV. Operations began in Omachi Town, Saga Prefecture in 2024, and in Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture in October 2025.

Now, with special support from EDAN (Evacuation Life Support Network) starting in September 2025 and the gratuitous provision of retired vehicles by Palline Co., Ltd., FOOBOUR -Uwajima Port- will officially commence its normal operations in Uwajima City from July.

The project aims to support the region's food supply in both normal and disaster times, and to bring smiles and peace of mind to the community.

◆What is the kitchen car project "FOOBOUR"?

Named "FOOBOUR," a portmanteau of Food and Harbour, it aims to be a "harbor" where people in need can obtain food.

In Uwajima City, it will provide food and daily necessities to single-parent households during "normal times" and deploy to disaster-stricken areas in Japan to deliver warm meals "in case of emergency (disaster situations)."

※"FOOBOUR" Website: https://foobour.pbv.or.jp/

◆FOOBOUR -Uwajima Port- Open Event

On July 7, 2026, marking 8 years since the July 2018 heavy rains, an open event for "FOOBOUR -Uwajima Port-" will be held in Uwajima City, Ehime Prefecture, as a kitchen car supporting single-parent households during normal times. Following the open event, attendees will be able to tour the inside of the FOOBOUR vehicle.

Date & Time: July 7, 2026 (Tue) 15:30-16:00

Location: Uwajima City Central Community Center, 1st Floor, Uwajima City Youth Exchange Center Horibata

(1-25 Horibata-cho, Uwajima City, Ehime Prefecture)

Organizer: NPO U.grandma Japan

Cooperation: Uwajima City, Uwajima City Council of Social Welfare, Food Bank Uwajima, Peace Boat Disaster Relief (PBV)

※From 16:00 to 16:30 after the event, you can tour the inside of the vehicle.

※Staff will be available for interviews on the day. If interested, please contact the inquiry contact.

◆NPO U.grandma Japan

The "July 2018 Heavy Rains Disaster" caused extensive damage, including landslides, flooding, power outages, and water supply disruptions, claiming the lives of 13 people in Yoshida Town. Witnessing the affected areas and the constantly changing situation, we considered what we could do and wanted to provide support with meticulous consideration from the perspective of disaster victims. This led to the establishment of the volunteer group "U.grandma (Uwajima Grandma)." In June 2019, it was incorporated as "U.grandma Japan" and began operating as an intermediary support organization.

https://u-grandma.jp/

◆Peace Boat Disaster Relief (PBV)

PBV is a public interest incorporated association dedicated to disaster relief activities both domestically and internationally, and to building disaster-resilient societies, with the theme "People Can Support People." Since its establishment in 2011, PBV has carried out disaster relief activities in 31 countries and 87 regions within Japan. They provide emergency relief, evacuation center support, coordination of aid, and support for community rebuilding, promoting sustainable support mechanisms through collaboration between corporations, local governments, and support organizations.

https://pbv.or.jp / https://foobour.pbv.or.jp

◆EDAN (Evacuation Life Support Network)

EDAN (Essential Disaster Assistance Network) is Japan's first private sector-led network specializing in evacuation life support, conceived and funded by Philip Morris Japan LLC (PMJ) in collaboration with the NPO Japan Volunteer Support Network (JVOAD) and several other disaster relief organizations.

With the goal of zero disaster-related deaths, EDAN has established a system to rapidly deliver TKB (Toilet, Kitchen, Bed) to disaster-stricken areas within 48 hours of a disaster, utilizing specialized expertise.

PBV is responsible for the administrative operations during normal times and on-site coordination during disaster situations.

https://edan-bosai.jp/

◆Palline Co., Ltd.

Palline Co., Ltd. is a specialized company that supports the business operations of the Pal System Group through logistics.

In this project, they are cooperating by providing retired vehicles free of charge for use in disaster relief and other activities.

https://www.palline.co.jp/

[Inquiries Regarding This Release]

Peace Boat Disaster Relief (PBV)

FOOBOUR Secretariat

E-mail: foobour@pbv.or.jp