Japanese school lunch

In short

Why schools serve lunch

The School Lunch Act says that school lunch helps children grow healthy in body and mind, and plays an important part in building a correct understanding of food and good judgment about it.

The seven goals

Article 2 lists seven goals: (1) keep and improve health through good nutrition; (2) understand everyday meals, build the judgment to eat healthily, and form good eating habits; (3) make school life richer and build a cheerful, cooperative spirit;

(4) understand that our food depends on the gifts of nature, and respect life and nature; (5) understand that many people’s work supports our food, and value work; (6) understand the fine traditional food cultures of Japan and its regions; (7) understand how food is produced, delivered and used.

Which schools

The law’s school lunch is the lunch served to pupils at compulsory-education schools: elementary schools, junior high schools and similar schools.

Think about it

• Q1Which of the seven goals do you think is most important? Why?
• Q2How can eating together at school build a cooperative spirit?
• Q3What do children eat for lunch at school in your country?

There is no single right answer. Talking it over with someone at home is a good way to learn.