Creating Meals Together, One "Itadakimasu" at a Time: Pilot Experiment for "JRE Kids' Cafeteria" to Launch

〇 East Japan Railway Company (hereinafter "JR East") and Gigi Inc. (hereinafter "Gigi"), an awardee of the "12th JR East Startup Program," will jointly conduct a pilot experiment of the "JRE Kids' Cafeteria" at Chapo Ichikawa, Chapo Motoyawata, Fukushima Station West Exit Power City Pivot, and Espal Fukushima, together with JR East Urban Development Corporation, JR East Tohoku General Service Co., Ltd., Sendai Terminal Building Co., Ltd., and JR East Startup Corporation.

〇 "JRE Kids' Cafeteria" is the collective name for children's cafeterias operated by the JR East Group. In this initiative at station-adjacent commercial facilities, digital meal tickets will be distributed using the "Kodomo Gochimeshi" service provided by Gigi, funded by points donated by JRE POINT members. Through this scheme, meals will be delivered to children in the local community from food and beverage outlets within the station commercial facilities. This marks the second pilot experiment using this model, following last winter's trial, and will continue verifying and improving the system toward building a sustainable model.

〇 This initiative is part of JR East's "HAPPY CHILD PROJECT," aiming to support children by providing nutritious meals and community-based care through food, and to promote child-rearing support in collaboration with local communities.

1. Overview of the "JRE Kids' Cafeteria" Pilot Experiment at Station Commercial Facilities

By distributing digital meal tickets generated through Gigi's "Kodomo Gochimeshi" system using points donated by JRE POINT members, local children can enjoy meals at designated food and beverage outlets within the commercial facilities.

(1) Period: August 3 (Mon) – August 31 (Mon), 2026 (planned)

(2) Locations: 1 Greater Tokyo Area: Chapo Ichikawa, Chapo Motoyawata

2 Fukushima Area: Fukushima Station West Exit Power City Pivot, Espal Fukushima

(3) Participating Stores: Designated stores within the above commercial facilities, for dine-in and takeout

(4) Eligibility: Children aged junior high school or younger residing in 1 Ichikawa City or 2 Fukushima City. Parents' meal expenses are not covered.

(5) Offerings: Digital meal tickets (1,000 yen per child per use)

※ Registration with "Kodomo Gochimeshi" is required to use the service. Tickets are valid for transactions of 1,000 yen or more. There is a limit on the number of uses per person during the period, with a system in place to allow children from families in greater need to use the service more frequently.

※ Detailed URL: https://jre-kodomoshokudo.kodomo-gochimeshi.org/

2. About JRE POINT Donation Program

Starting today, donations of JRE POINTs to the "JRE Kids' Cafeteria" will be accepted via the product exchange page on the JRE POINT website. All donated points will be fully allocated to children's meals through Gigi's "Kodomo Gochimeshi" system. The effectiveness and sustainability of this model will be evaluated within the everyday flow of station-connected commercial facilities.

Donation URL: https://www.jrepoint.jp/item/26000173/

Donation Period: June 29 (Mon), 2026 – July 28 (Tue), 2026 (planned)

※ This initiative utilizes not only points donated by JRE POINT members but also contributions from JR East.

3. Mechanism of the Station Commercial Facility-Type Kids' Cafeteria

Points donated by JRE POINT members are converted into digital meal tickets via Gigi's "GOCHI Platform." Children registered with "Kodomo Gochimeshi" can present their digital meal tickets at designated stores within the commercial facilities when paying after their meal.

4. Future Vision for "JRE Kids' Cafeteria"

【References】

JR East Group "HAPPY CHILD PROJECT"

The JR East Group aims to support work-life balance and contribute to local communities by promoting diverse initiatives that support child-rearing families, such as establishing childcare facilities and organizing family-friendly events, primarily in the Greater Tokyo Area. Moving forward, the Group will continue to respond to various child-rearing needs and work toward creating railway communities where everyone can live comfortably.

URL: https://www.jreast.co.jp/kosodate/

JRE POINT

"JRE POINT" is JR East Group's unified loyalty program that allows users to earn and redeem points across various daily scenarios by registering and linking services such as Mobile Suica, Ekinet, and View Card.

URL: https://www.jrepoint.jp/

JRE POINT members can donate their accumulated points via the product exchange page on the JRE POINT website.

Product Exchange Page URL: https://www.jrepoint.jp/item/list/

JR East Startup Program

This program invites business and service proposals from venture companies and individuals with innovative ideas, leveraging station, railway, and Group business resources and information assets, and supports their refinement and implementation. First launched in 2017, the program has selected a total of 149 proposals to date. The 2026 Spring Program has now closed for applications, and selection is currently underway. The program received the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award at the First Japan Open Innovation Awards 2018 hosted by the Cabinet Office, and the Minister of the Environment Award at the Third Japan Open Innovation Awards 2020.

URL: https://jrestartup.co.jp/program/

Gigi Inc.

Gigi Inc. operates under the philosophy of "Your Happiness is My Happiness," providing the "GOCHI Platform," which issues pay-it-forward style digital meal tickets. Through services such as "Kodomo Gochimeshi" and "Shakushoku Gochimeshi," Gigi aims to create a kind system that benefits people, restaurants, and communities, and to foster a new social value where the spirit of giving circulates throughout society.

URL: https://www.gigi.tokyo/

About "Kodomo Gochimeshi"

"Kodomo Gochimeshi" is a system that enables local restaurants to function as "children's cafeterias," delivering meals to children from families in need. By connecting donors, restaurants, and children through digital tickets, it addresses traditional challenges faced by children's cafeterias—such as lack of volunteers, irregular operating schedules, and funding shortages—while building a sustainable, mutually beneficial model that benefits all three parties: restaurants, children, and donors.

URL: https://kodomo-gochimeshi.org/