Key Facts
• On September 11, Kawasaki City Council held representative questions by three parties.
• Councilor Reiko Kudo requested a fee reduction for lunch services at “Waku Waku Plaza.”
• Kawasaki City rejected the request, stating “no plans for city fee coverage.”
• In 2023, lunch services were trialed at 115 facilities, costing approximately 600 yen per meal.
• Yokohama City offers similar services at 400 yen per meal, subsidizing delivery costs.
• Kudo highlighted user concerns over high costs compared to Yokohama’s pricing.
• Child Future Bureau Director Jun Inoue cited fairness for non-users as a reason.
• Councilor Jiro Ichiko requested extending a pediatric asthma subsidy until August 2024, but it was denied.
• Councilor Katsue Nihei raised concerns over delayed publication of evaluation sheets for 52 facilities.
• Kawasaki City pledged to ensure timely publication of such documents from 2024 onward.
Summary
Kawasaki City Council discussed key issues on September 11, including lunch fees for “Waku Waku Plaza,” a facility for children during long school breaks. Councilor Reiko Kudo requested a fee reduction, citing user concerns over high costs compared to Yokohama City, which offers subsidized lunches at 400 yen per meal. Kawasaki City rejected the proposal, emphasizing fairness for non-users. Other topics included a denied request to extend a pediatric asthma subsidy and delayed publication of evaluation sheets for city-managed facilities. Kawasaki City committed to improving transparency in future document releases.
