Japan's First Prefectural Summer Meal Support for Children 'Toyama Kodomo Gochimeshi' Launches

Hokuriku Bank, Ltd. (President: Hiroshi Nakazawa), Hokkoku Shimbun Co., Ltd. (President & CEO: Makoto Kamichi), Intec, Inc. (President & CEO: Shuuzo Hikita), and Relic, Inc. (CEO: Takao Kitajima) — four companies under the Hokuriku Financial Group — will jointly implement Gigi, Inc.'s (CEO: Ryosuke Imai) prefecture-wide summer meal support project for children, "Toyama Kodomo Gochimeshi," this summer as an approved pilot program under "Innovation QUEST in TOYAMA 2025."

This pilot program will provide 3,000 free meals (¥1,000 per meal) via digital vouchers redeemable at local restaurants to children (aged 15 and under) residing in Toyama Prefecture during the summer vacation period. It marks Japan’s first (※) prefecture-wide summer meal support initiative for children using digital vouchers.

Starting today, the official website has been launched, and recruitment for participating restaurants and supporting companies is now open.

Official Website for "Toyama Kodomo Gochimeshi"

※As of May 2026, according to a survey by Gigi, Inc. This is the first pilot project to provide meal support to children residing in the prefecture during summer vacation using digital vouchers redeemable at local restaurants, implemented on a prefectural scale.

Background of the Pilot Program

During long school breaks without school lunches, issues such as malnutrition and solitary meals ("koshoku") become apparent due to family circumstances like financial hardship or parental workloads. "Toyama Kodomo Gochimeshi" aims to create a system where children from all types of households can safely and comfortably access meals at local restaurants.

Aligned with the shared theme of the four co-hosting companies in "Innovation QUEST in TOYAMA 2025" — "Protecting the Future of Our Region from Population Decline" — this initiative seeks to foster children’s future attachment to the region and encourage long-term residency by building community-based support systems. Through this project, we aim to pioneer a new model of meal support — "raising children together as a community" — starting in Toyama and leading the nation.

Overview of the Pilot Program

"Kodomo Gochimeshi" is a system launched by Gigi, Inc. in 2023 that transforms local restaurants into "children’s cafeterias" to deliver meals to children in need. By securing sponsorships and donations from corporations and organizations, the service has provided a cumulative total of 330,000 meals nationwide as of the end of April 2026. It addresses challenges faced by traditional volunteer-based children’s cafeterias — such as staffing shortages and financial instability — through digital transformation ("DX") using IT and digital vouchers.

This initiative focuses on alleviating "invisible poverty" in Toyama Prefecture while reinvesting in the local economy. By networking local restaurants and creating a safe dining environment for children during summer break, and by directing pilot funding to local eateries, the program aims to establish a "win-win-win" model benefiting children, restaurants, and the community.

Concept of the "Toyama Kodomo Gochimeshi" Project

Pilot Period and Service Details

Implementation Period

During the summer vacation period of public elementary and junior high schools in Toyama Prefecture (details to be announced later on the "Toyama Kodomo Gochimeshi" official website and other channels)

Service Offering

3,000 meal vouchers (¥1,000 per meal)

Distribution Method

Digital vouchers will be distributed to households that apply via the official website (specific application procedures will be detailed on the website)

Eligibility

Children aged 15 and under residing in Toyama Prefecture (※ Number of available uses varies by household situation)

Main Pilot Area

1st floor of MAROOT / 1st floor of Marienoyama (commercial facilities in front of JR Toyama Station) ※ Pilot cooperation partner: Toyama Terminal Building Co., Ltd.

Participating Restaurants

Will be announced sequentially on the official website

Notes

※ Parents’ meal expenses are not covered. ※ The program will end once the total of 3,000 meals is distributed, even if within the scheduled period.

Call for Participating Restaurants and Supporting Companies

To expand the program beyond the main pilot area and create an accessible environment for children, we are recruiting restaurant operators within Toyama Prefecture who wish to participate. We are also seeking supporting companies in Toyama Prefecture that share our vision. Logos of supporting companies will be displayed on the "Toyama Kodomo Gochimeshi" official website. For details and application procedures, please visit the official website (https://toyama.kodomo-gochimeshi.org/).

Official Website

About "Innovation QUEST in TOYAMA 2025"

"Innovation QUEST in TOYAMA 2025" is a program designed to address regional challenges and foster new industries in Toyama Prefecture. It represents the first step in building a co-creation framework where local enterprises collaborate with startups and research institutions nationwide to develop new businesses. Led by the four private-sector companies — Hokuriku Bank, Hokkoku Shimbun, Intec, and Relic — the initiative combines their resources and networks to revitalize the regional economy and realize a sustainable society. In 2025, the program invited business proposals around four key themes, receiving 27 applications and selecting three projects, including "Toyama Kodomo Gochimeshi."

Gigi, Inc. (https://www.gigi.tokyo)

Headquarters: 1-3-40 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo

Founded: September 13, 2018

Business: Internet services

Gigi, Inc. operates under the vision "Your Happiness is My Happiness," creating business models that are kind to people, shops, and communities. The company aims to foster a sustainable and forward-looking value system where the spirit of 'Pay it forward' — passing on kindness and altruism — spreads and circulates throughout society.

【Inquiries regarding this matter】

Email: Innovation-QUEST-TOYAMA@relic.co.jp

Contact: Nakayama (Relic, Inc.)

Relic, Inc.

Company Name: Relic, Inc.

Representatives: CEO Takao Kitajima / CTO Ryo Ohba

Headquarters: Ebisu Garden Place Tower 19F, 4-20-3 Ebisu, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Founded: August 2015

Business: Incubation tech, business production/new venture development support, open innovation (startup investment, VC fund operation, CVC setup and management support, joint ventures), innovator talent development, regional revitalization and local innovation, innovation workplace services

Corporate Website: https://relic.co.jp

Relic is a "business co-creation company" that partners with leading Japanese corporations to turn ideas for new ventures, open innovation, AX, and DX into reality — going beyond conceptualization to achieve monetization, integration into core businesses, spin-offs, and employee-led startups. Relic overcomes the unique barriers and constraints of large enterprises through its proprietary "Offshore Co-Creation Scheme©," where Relic takes the lead as the business entity. Japan’s largest BTC organization, equipped with expertise in business, technology, and creativity, executes strategies from planning to implementation and growth in a seamless manner. Relic also operates diverse businesses and star