Change of Board Chair at Kyoto Food Bank 'Second Harvest Kyoto'

Certified NPO Second Harvest Kyoto (Kyoto City) announces that, as we reach the milestone of our 10th anniversary, we will be changing our Board Chair and transitioning to a new leadership structure effective April 1, 2026.

Since our founding in December 2015, we have operated primarily as a food bank, delivering food donated by companies and producers to those in need, based on our philosophy of "supporting human dignity and life through food." We are working to build a food safety net within Kyoto Prefecture through collaboration with local food pantry organizations, social welfare councils, welfare facilities, and government agencies.

Masaaki Sawada, who has served as Board Chair since our founding, will be stepping down, and Seiji Makino will be appointed as the new Board Chair. Under this new structure, we will continue to develop the foundation we have built and advance the creation of sustainable food support systems.

■ Comment from the Outgoing Board Chair
I am stepping down as the Board Chair of Second Harvest Kyoto. Our activities, which began in December 2015 with the desire to "create a food bank system in Kyoto," have spanned 10 years thanks to the support of many companies, organizations, volunteers, and local residents.

This work could never have been accomplished by one person alone; it has continued to this day through the strength of everyone involved. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for your support and cooperation. I hope that under the new Board Chair, the "system to protect lives through food" will take even deeper root in Kyoto and be passed on to the next generation.

[Image: Masaaki Sawada, Former Board Chair, Certified NPO Second Harvest Kyoto]

■ Comment from the New Board Chair
I am Seiji Makino, and I have been appointed as the Board Chair of Certified NPO Second Harvest Kyoto.

I have previously been involved in the organization's activities as a legal advisor and auditor, and I have now succeeded to the position of Board Chair from former Chair Masaaki Sawada. I also serve as the representative attorney for a law firm with 56 lawyers and over 90 staff members. I intend to maximize my knowledge and experience as an attorney and business manager, as well as the connections I have made through my legal work, to further permeate and expand the philosophy of "supporting human dignity and life through food" and the "system to protect lives through food" that former Chair Sawada created and established.

It would be very difficult to continue these philosophies and systems without the efforts of our volunteers, supporting companies, and all other stakeholders. I ask for your continued support and goodwill. Thank you very much.

---

■ Organization Overview
Organization Name: Certified NPO Second Harvest Kyoto
Established: December 2015
Location: Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
Business Activities: Food bank operations, food safety net projects, children's support projects

■ Contact Information for Inquiries
Certified NPO Second Harvest Kyoto
TEL: 075-276-0728
Email: contact@2hkyoto.org
WEB: https://2hkyoto.org