As the coronavirus continues to spread and there seems to be no end in sight, a husband and wife in Suginami Ward, Tokyo, in cooperation with an eatery for children in need, have donated food to single mothers and employees of so-called night-life businesses to support them during the pandemic.
Natsumi Ishikawa, 29, and her husband, Yuichi, 37, donate food to the employees of night-life businesses, including clubs where customers enjoy drinks with female employees. Natsumi herself works in such a club as a hostess.
"Single mothers working in clubs or the adult entertainment industry often feel isolated and find it difficult to ask for help, even if they become destitute," she said. "Since we know what their situation is like, we wanted to offer assistance."
Natsumi has a day job as a company employee and works at a club. Yuichi has experience as a club manager.
Club employees earn a good income working at night, and there are many cases in which single mothers apply for the job to support their children.
Since women have been coming to them for advice regarding domestic violence and debts, they began considering starting a business that helps the women find another career and provides childcare.
But as the coronavirus began to spread, the club where the couple worked was forced to temporarily close because a state of emergency was declared by the government in April.
Natsumi and Yuichi thought that the single mothers who work at these types of clubs would be in a difficult situation after suddenly losing their jobs. Therefore, the couple decided to work with Masashi Sato, 47, a representative for Kawaguchi Kodomo Shokudo -- an eatery for children in need in Kawaguchi, Saitama Prefecture -- to donate food.
After opening a food pantry in May, they have regularly distributed food, such as vacuum-sealed foods, rice and vegetables, that has been donated to them by companies and others.
Those who utilize the food pantry can also seek advice from social workers and lawyers about any concerns they may have.
When the food pantry first opened, they provided food to 15 households. As of Oct. 4, the couple distributed food to 38 households in Tokyo and Saitama Prefecture.
The staff at the food pantry not only provides food but also information regarding public assistance and other aid schemes, as well as balloon art for children.
Misato Taira, 31, is a single mother living in Saitama and has two sons aged 5 and 3. She helps out at the pantry and also receives food.
The club where she worked resumed operations in June, just two months after it was forced to temporarily shut down, but she quit out of fear that she might become infected.
"Since it's been really difficult to make ends meet, just having food has been really helpful," she said. "I also feel better because I can chat with people in a similar situation."
The couple said there are many women in the night-life industry who think they are ineligible to receive governmental or private-sector assistance because they feel the public is prejudiced toward them.
"As those who have been affected meet each other at the pantry, I want them to know that everyone is equal and can receive aid," Natsumi said.
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