Protecting Children from Isolation, Extreme Heat, and Food Insecurity: A Nationwide Call from Children's Centers

The Japan Children's Healthy Growth Promotion Foundation (Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, President: Ichiko Suzuki), which supports children's centers nationwide, will issue a message 'Jidoukanmo Aruyo' to children who are struggling, especially elementary, junior high, and high school students, from the summer vacation period to the start of the new school year, from July 17 (Fri) to September 16 (Wed).

The purpose of this message is to raise awareness of the role of children's centers as a point of contact for supporting children's lives and daily routines in the community, in preparation for Suicide Prevention Week promoted by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare from September 10 (Thu) to September 16 (Wed).

The number of child suicides is at an all-time high, with a tendency to increase after long school vacations According to statistics from the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and the National Police Agency, the number of suicides among elementary, junior high, and high school students in 2025 was 532, the highest on record, with a notable increase among female junior high and high school students. The causes include school-related issues such as academics and career paths, as well as family and health problems. As in previous years, there is a tendency for the number of child suicides to increase before and after the start of the new school year after summer vacation, making emergency support for children facing mental crises an urgent task.

From summer vacation to the new school year, children's centers are a 'safety net' protecting children's lives As the Ministry of Childhood and Family Affairs urged local governments in May this year to strengthen their support systems during summer vacation, concerns include the deterioration of living environments due to rising prices, an increase in children who cannot secure nutritious meals due to the suspension of school lunches, and the risk of heatstroke due to extreme heat. In this context, children's welfare facilities 'children's centers,' where anyone can visit for free, are once again attracting attention as a nearby safety net to prevent children's isolation and health risks. Various children's centers are taking steps to secure cool places to stay, provide food support tailored to local conditions, and establish a system of supervision and consultation by specialized staff.

To children who are struggling, 'Jidoukanmo Aruyo' The message 'Jidoukanmo Aruyo' was born from the thoughts of specialized staff who support children by staying close to them, with the hope that children will use children's centers as one of the places they can feel safe. To protect children's lives and deliver peace of mind, we will raise awareness of the efforts of the children's center supervisory sections of local governments and related facilities and organizations in each region.

<Overview of 'Jidoukanmo Aruyo' initiatives> ・Period: July 17 (Fri), 2026 to September 16 (Wed), 2026 ・Organizer: Japan Children's Healthy Growth Promotion Foundation ・Cooperation: National Association of Children's Centers, National Association of Children's Welfare Workers Research ※This initiative is registered as one of the main initiatives of Suicide Prevention Week by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare ・URL: https://www.jidoukan.or.jp/info/news/34897e7669a6 ・Content: (1) Promotion of 'Jidoukanmo Aruyo' <Examples of implementation> ・Poster display, distribution as flyers ・Inclusion in children's center newsletters (brochures) ・Printing on cards and placing them in the facility or related facilities ・Posting on websites or SNS with '#' (hashtag) ※Posters and cards can be downloaded from the link below https://www.jidoukan.or.jp/info/blog/348977b639a6 Original posters created by children. Messages unique to children, such as 'You can make slime,' are also being conveyed. (Tama City, Tokyo, Nagayama Children's Center) (2) Issuance of original messages from each children's center Issuing messages tailored to the situation of each regional children's center <Examples of implementation> ・Original messages such as 'Come to the children's center,' 'We will definitely help you,' and 'Consult via LINE' ・Attaching maps or QR codes of children's centers to posters ・Creating and distributing maps of children's places in the region (3) Creating opportunities and places to visit Implementing calls and initiatives to make it easier for children who have never used a children's center to visit <Examples of implementation> ・Posting scenes of using children's centers on SNS, etc. (can stay cool, Wi-Fi available, meals available, self-study space available, can practice bands or dance, etc.) ・Creating welcome days and events for first-time users (no admission procedures required, etc.) ・Hosting events for junior high and high school students ・Extending opening hours (until 21:00 for junior high and high school students, etc.) ■ About Suicide Prevention Week Based on the Basic Act on Suicide Countermeasures, Suicide Prevention Week is set annually from September 10 to 16, and the national government, local public entities, and related organizations work together to promote enlightenment activities. ■ About 'Measures against extreme heat and food support during the summer vacation period' by the Ministry of Childhood and Family Affairs The Ministry of Childhood and Family Affairs, in cooperation with related ministries and agencies, is calling on local governments nationwide to implement initiatives to continuously support children during the summer vacation period. https://www.cfa.go.jp/policies/kodomonohinkon/natsu-ibasyo-syoku <Actual examples of initiatives> ・Creating places for junior high and high school students (Kameido Children's Center, Koto Ward, Tokyo) Open every day until 19:00 except Sundays. Every Wednesday, free drinks are provided, and events such as festivals and fireworks are also planned during summer vacation. In Koto Ward, 17 children's centers are creating an environment where junior high and high school students can spend time comfortably, with Wi-Fi available in all facilities, and spaces and play areas prioritized for junior high and high school students after 17:00. Creating places for junior high and high school students ・Support for school refusal and creating places for junior high and high school students (Midori Children's Center, Nagoya City) A dedicated room for elementary, junior high, and high school students who refuse to go to school is prepared inside the facility and is used as a new place to spend time during weekdays. In the room, you can spend time freely, and specialized staff who are always present will supervise and respond to consultations. This has been implemented in four children's centers in the city since this year. Extended opening hours until 20:00 every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and junior high and high school students can use it. Support for school refusal and creating places for junior high and high school students ・Cafeteria for junior high and high school students (Hachihonmatsu Children's Center, Sendai City) This year, a new 'cafeteria for junior high and high school students' has started. Aiming to be a place where you can relax and enjoy eating onigiri with friends or children's center staff. From 17:00 to 19:00 every Tuesday and Thursday, and once a month on Saturdays, only junior high and high school students can use it. The children who visit talk about what happened today, club activities, or studying, or play badminton, table tennis, darts, and spend time as they like. Cafeteria for junior high and high school students ・Providing meals for children (Mori no Ko Children's Center, Urasoe City, Okinawa Prefecture) The usual opening hours are from 10:00 to 18:00, but on Tuesdays and Thursdays, the facility is open until 20:00 for junior high and high school students, and light meals such as onigiri are provided during this time. Some children visit looking forward to 'What kind of onigiri is it today?' During long vacations such as summer vacation, lunch is provided three times a week regardless of age, with the cooperation of local volunteers. Providing meals for children ・Providing cool places (various children's centers) Some local governments register children's centers as 'cooling shelters (designated heat refuge facilities)' where you can temporarily rest and protect yourself from dangerous heat, and promote their use as resting places. (Environmental Agency 'Heatstroke Prevention Site' https://www.