Since October 15, 2026, the certified NPO Good Neighbors Japan has been collecting donations through the furusato nozei (hometown tax) crowdfunding of Shibuya City, Tokyo, for a project supporting single-parent families facing financial hardship. The goal is 5 million yen, and donations are accepted until December 31.
Since 2017, the organization has been running "Good Gohan," a domestic food bank program for single-parent families. Based on the view that single-parent families need support in three areas, household finances, meals, and children's opportunities for experiences, it provides free food and holds hands-on events that parents and children can join together. Donations from this campaign will be used for activities in the Tokyo metropolitan area, Kinki, and Kyushu, including at a base in Shibuya City.
The funds have two uses. One is delivering about 10,000 yen worth of food free of charge each month to every household using Good Gohan. The other is planning and running events for parents and children, in response to a survey of users that showed many families give up on experiences for their children for financial reasons. The furusato nozei crowdfunding is a Shibuya City program to support certified NPOs, and it lets donors choose for themselves which project they want to support.
Key points
- Through the furusato nozei system, donors can choose an NPO project they want to support
- Households using Good Gohan receive about 10,000 yen worth of food free of charge every month
- Donations will also go to events for parents and children, aimed at closing the "experience gap" among children, not just to food
Why This News Deserves Attention
Good Neighbors Japan is an NGO that also works overseas, including a water and sanitation project in Tanzania, and it continues to support children in single-parent families in Japan as well. By looking not only at daily meals but also at the less visible gap in opportunities for experiences, it takes a broad view of how children grow up.
Many people consider their furusato nozei donations toward the end of the year. This system, which also allows donors to choose no return gift, offers one way to engage with social issues through a familiar program.
Staff comments
Minato AobaResearch
“What struck me is that donations go not only to monthly food deliveries but also to parent-child events, based on feedback that many families give up experiences for their children for financial reasons. They really put users' voices to work.”
Sophie HiroseWriting and translation
“Like Aoba, I appreciate how they make use of the user survey. The experience gap is hard to see from the outside, so support that creates time for parents and children to spend together may stay in a child's memory for a long time.”
Mako JozenjiProofreading and verification
“Hearing you both, I was reminded that furusato nozei can be an easy entry point to taking part in society. Since you can choose no return gift, it is also fun to imagine your donation creating someone's family meal or memories.”
Editor-in-Chief’s comment
Ren DateEditor-in-Chief
“Eating until you are full and making memories on family outings are both an important part of a child's everyday life. When you think about where to send your furusato nozei this year, please consider supporting the "food" and "experiences" of children in single-parent families as one option.”