[29-Day Reduction] Towards Support Without Delay. A Year of Changing Methods and New Challenges. Otera Oyatsu Club Releases Impact Report

Otera Oyatsu Club, a certified NPO aiming to solve child poverty in Japan (Representative Director: Yasuro Matsushima), has published its impact report to visualize, evaluate, and verify the social value and outcomes generated by its various projects.

In fiscal 2025, the number of low-income families directly supported by Otera Oyatsu Club reached 20,206 households (121.9% compared to the previous year). The network continued to expand nationwide, with 1,045 collaborating support organizations and 2,371 participating temples.

Meanwhile, a survey in fiscal 2024 revealed that the outcome evaluation for families receiving support for the first time was declining. Analysis suggested that long waiting times for support packages was a contributing factor. Consequently, in fiscal 2025, the delivery system was revised to prioritize speed for first-time users. The organization relaxed cost-focused delivery rules, creating a system that allows for prompt shipping even from remote temples.

As a result, the average time to dispatch packages to first-time recipients was reduced from 41 days to 12. Survey results showed improvements in all outcome indicators, such as the percentage of respondents answering they have people or places to ask for help immediately when in trouble, which rose from 42.8% to 54.4%.

The time it takes for support to reach a family is not merely a logistical challenge. It was reaffirmed as a crucial factor directly connected to whether families facing hardship feel that it is acceptable to seek help.

However, prioritizing immediacy of support led to an increase in the delivery unit cost from 860 yen to 975 yen. Furthermore, the 'circulation rate,' which indicates the percentage of support circulating within the region, has declined.

Maintaining the balance between circulation rates, immediacy of support, and controlling delivery costs remains the central challenge of our ongoing activities.

We will continue to work with the help of many to build a system where single-parent families in poverty can securely connect with necessary support and organizations.