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The Mainichi
02-07-2025
- General
- The Mainichi
News in Easy English: University students start food bank to help classmates in Niigata
NIIGATA -- Students at Niigata University started a food bank to help classmates who don't have enough to eat. On June 24, they gave free rice, noodles, snacks, and other food to students who needed help. Food prices have become very high, and many students say they can't buy enough food. Some students say, "Vegetables are expensive, so I don't buy them often." Other students say, "I wait until I'm very hungry to eat." The student food bank, called "Soleil," started in April this year. On June 24, they gave food to 65 students at the university campus. Each student received about eight kinds of food, like 5 kilograms of rice, cup noodles, and some snacks. Miku Yoshimura is 20 years old. She said, "Food prices are high and I'm busy, so it is hard to do part-time jobs. I'm thankful for this help. I'll share this food with my younger brother." Another student, Kozue Yamashita, 20, said, "Rice is now twice as expensive as it was two years ago. This rice I received is very helpful. Now I don't have to worry." Soleil asked about 170 students how many times a day they eat. More than 30% said they eat two or fewer meals a day. About 64% said they worry about having enough food. One student said, "I only eat one cheap meal a day." Yumi Oiwa, 20, is one of the student leaders of Soleil. She said, "Students need more help now. We hope to help more students and make this food bank bigger." Soleil plans to continue giving out food at the university regularly. They would also like food and money donations from local shops or groups. (Japanese original by Sayuri Toda, Niigata Bureau) Vocabulary food bank: a group that gives food to people who don't have enough campus: the place where a university or college is donation: giving money or things to help people in need part-time job: work that you can do for only a few hours or days a week leader: a person who guides others in a group regularly: happening often; again and again
The Mainichi
26-06-2025
- Business
- The Mainichi
Students at Japan's Niigata University support struggling peers by establishing food bank
NIIGATA -- A food bank launched in April by students at Niigata University distributed foodstuffs to struggling fellow students for the first time June 24. Amid soaring costs of utilities and food such as rice, students at the university have come together to support each other by establishing a food bank. They have shared their struggles with comments like, "Vegetables are so expensive that I don't feel like buying them," and, "I hold off eating until my stomach growls." The organization is determined to alleviate these concerns and is appealing for support from local businesses. The student food bank Soleil held its first food distribution on the Ikarashi Campus in the city of Niigata's Nishi Ward. They distributed about eight items for free, including 5 kilograms of rice, cup noodles and snacks, to 65 students who responded via social media or other means. Miku Yoshimura, a 20-year-old third-year student at the university's College of Creative Studies, mentioned she had been reducing her rice consumption recently. After receiving foodstuffs, she expressed gratitude, saying, "With the rising prices and my busy schedule making it hard to work part-time, this is a great help. I plan to share these items with my younger brother who lives nearby." Another third-year creative studies student, Kozue Yamashita, 20, noted, "The price of rice has roughly doubled since my first year. It's so harsh I do shopping with a calculator in hand at the supermarket. I received 5 kilograms of rice, so I can eat without worry." Yumi Oiwa, 20, a co-representative of Soleil and a third-year student at the same faculty, said she also feels the impact of rising prices when shopping. She is committed to "alleviating the food-related anxieties of students." Soleil conducted a survey in May targeting approximately 170 students in Niigata Prefecture. When asked, "Are you eating three meals a day?" more than 30% of students responded "almost two meals or fewer" or "not often." Additionally, 64% of respondents expressed concerns or worries about their diet. Struggling comments included, "I eat cheap frozen udon with different seasonings. Sometimes I eat just one meal a day," and, "I feel even convenience store rice balls are expensive now." According to Soleil, this is the first student-run food bank in the prefecture. Oiwa stated, "Food banks aren't familiar to students. We'd like to gather attention by having students run it for students and raise awareness by distributing on campus." Soleil plans to continue regular distributions on campus and is seeking donations and supplies from local businesses and organizations. Inquiries can be directed to Soleil via email at soleilfoodbank@ (Japanese original by Sayuri Toda, Niigata Bureau)
