The 2nd "Single-Parent Household Support Policy Local Government Project Award" Recommendation Call for Entries Starts!

Scene from last year's award ceremony

The Japan Single Parent Families Support Organizations National Council (JSPF) is pleased to announce the launch of the call for recommendations for the "2nd Single-Parent Household Support Policy Local Government Project Award," which honors pioneering single-parent family support initiatives by local governments nationwide. In the first award held in fiscal year 2025, three municipalities received significant attention: Akashi City, which built a comprehensive support system; Miyazaki City, which took effective steps to secure child support; and Sendai City, which distributed an information booklet on single-parent family support from the perspective of those involved.

Click here to read the report article for fiscal year 2025

For this second year, we are widely seeking municipalities that are implementing unique initiatives that reflect local challenges and on-site voices, filling gaps in existing systems.

1. Purpose of this Award

This award aims to shed light on "creative policies" uniquely developed by local governments, in addition to the basic policies of the national government (Children and Families Agency). By widely introducing award-winning cases nationwide, we aim to raise the quality of support and encourage its spread and implementation in other municipalities.

2. Key Points for Application and Selection

This award particularly expects initiatives with the following perspectives:

・Creativity: Does it have unique ideas for local challenges?

・Effectiveness: Does it lead to an improvement in the lives of single parents and children?

・Ripple Effect: Can it serve as a model for other regions? (Emphasis on initiatives not dependent on budget size)

3. Application Overview

・Target Projects: All measures related to single-parent family support implemented by local governments from Reiwa 6 (2024) to Reiwa 8 (2026). Projects that primarily target single-parent families, even if not exclusively, are welcome.

・Recommendation Method: Online form submission by self-recommendation or third-party recommendation (recommender information, policy overview, material links, etc.)

・Application Deadline: Tuesday, June 30, 2026

・Selection Method: Document review by a judging committee composed of experts.

・Award Ceremony: Scheduled to be held at our organization's "National Convention" in Fukuoka City on Sunday, October 4, 2026.

3. Awards

・Grand Prize for Single-Parent Family Support (1 municipality)

・Future Support Award for Single Parents and Children (3 municipalities)

4. Previous (1st) Award-Winning Municipalities and Their Evaluation (Reference)

・Akashi City, Hyogo Prefecture: Comprehensive Single-Parent Family Support Project (comprehensive support from consultation to child support)

・Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture: Child Support Enforcement Support Project (consistent support from notarized document creation to guarantee contracts)

・Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture: Single-Parent Support Book "Well-B" Distribution Project (visualization of information)

5. Judges (Planned, titles omitted)

・Chieko Akaishi (Chairperson, Japan Single Parent Families Support Organizations National Council)

・Koji Ogawa (Representative Director, Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Asunoba)

・Rie Kondo (Professor, Faculty of Health and Welfare, Okayama Prefectural University)

・Emiri Sato (Representative Director, General Incorporated Association Shinmama Lab)

・Maki Yasuki (Representative, Single Mothers' Forum Kobe West / Ikuhaku Childcare System Advisor)

・Tsuyoshi Watanabe (Chairperson, Specified Non-Profit Organization At School)

5. Application and Inquiries

Please apply here → https://forms.gle/RkkPgpDiMNoQAndu6

Inquiries: info★jspf.jp (Please change ★ to @)