Achieving the First Approval Under the 'New Public Interest Trust System' Started on April 1, 2026. Musubie Becomes the First NPO to be Approved as a Public Interest Trust Trustee

Musubie (Certified NPO: National Support Center for Kodomo Shokudo), which aims to create a society where no one is left behind through support for community food cafeterias (Kodomo Shokudo), announced on June 9, 2026, that it has been approved as the first trustee under the new public interest trust system. This is the first time an NPO has been approved as a trustee in Japan.

◼️ The 'New Public Interest Trust System' Reformed for the First Time in About 100 Years: NPOs Can Now Become Trustees

A 'Public Interest Trust' is a mechanism where a trustee uses assets entrusted by a trustor through a contract or will to continuously conduct public interest activities that align with the 'trustor's wishes.' The Public Interest Trust Act, created over 100 years ago, was amended in 2024, and the new system finally started in April 2026. Previously, trustees were limited to trust banks and companies, but the reform now allows NPOs, public interest corporations, and even individuals to become trustees. As NPOs and public interest corporations become trustees, they are expected to serve as new drivers for public interest trusts, utilizing their expertise in solving social issues.

◼️ As the First NPO Trustee Under the New System

Musubie has been conducting support activities such as network support for various regions, research, and providing supplies and funding so that Kodomo Shokudo can spread nationwide and become local infrastructure.

Based on these achievements, Musubie will work to spread Kodomo Shokudo as 'a place for everyone' where all people can feel comfortable, and will take on challenges to further expand the potential of Kodomo Shokudo, positioning this approval as a new step forward.

Message from Rie Mishima, Board Chair, Musubie

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who has provided us with great cooperation and advice regarding this trusteeship.

Since our establishment, Musubie has been committed to ensuring transparency by balancing business promotion and governance construction.

In implementing this system, we have built a professional execution structure by welcoming lawyers as trust administrators, while optimizing the internal burden on the organization. We chose the public interest trust mechanism because this system, which gives shape to the donor's wishes, aligns with our policy stated in our medium-term plan: 'Community building that supports children's growth through strengthening the foundation of regional groups.'

We would like to practice this ourselves first and then spread the knowledge and experience gained to various regions. We will do our utmost to help the new public interest trust system permeate society, increase public interest activities, and help create a better future.

We ask for your continued guidance and encouragement.

【What is a Kodomo Shokudo?】

Regardless of names like regional cafeterias or 'everyone's house,' these are free or low-cost cafeterias where even a single child can safely come. They are voluntarily operated in various places, mostly by volunteers, and serve as 'places for everyone' where people of wide generations, centered on children, interact through food. They contribute to creating local vibrancy, elderly life goals, and improving issues such as isolation and poverty. Although there is no institutional backing, it has been revealed that there are 12,602 locations (as of 2025).