#Japan #community support #Fujimino #Child Dining #cotokoto

The Launch of cotokoto Hiroba

In a significant initiative aimed at enhancing child welfare, Club Tourism Co., Ltd., in collaboration with the general incorporated association Kosodate Biyori and the voluntary organization Hero Step for Resuscitation Education, has announced the opening of cotokoto Hiroba at Aeon Town Fujimino. This project, funded through the Dormant Deposits Utilization Project selected in 2024, emphasizes creating sustainable spaces for diverse children in Saitama Prefecture. The planned opening is set for December 2025 and will run until the end of February 2028.

Purpose and Vision

cotokoto Hiroba aims to establish a ‘third place’ outside of school and home where children and their parents can feel safe and relaxed. Set within the community communication space cotokoto, this initiative seeks to address the increasing loneliness and burdens faced by parents today by fostering a cooperative community environment.

Weekly Activities

The activities at cotokoto Hiroba will include:

• - Children's Space: Open every Tuesday and Thursday from 3 PM to 7 PM, this space allows children to engage in various activities such as homework help, board games, origami, crafting, and casual conversations. It aims to nurture children's autonomy and respect their voices, making it a welcoming environment.

• - Children’s Dining Hall: Occurring every Wednesday from 5 PM to 7 PM, this program provides warm, homemade meals that evoke feelings of happiness and deliciousness. It serves as an antidote to solitary dining and aims to foster social connections among children and their families.

In addition to these core activities, cotokoto Hiroba will also host mental health support services, workshops like “Children’s Dream Classes,” and CPR training sessions. The involvement of local residents, including senior citizens and students, will enhance the community's engagement through volunteering, extending the program's positive impacts across multiple generations.

Location and Operation

The cotokoto Hiroba is located at Aeon Town Fujimino, situated at 2-1-6 Fukuoka, Fujimino City, Saitama Prefecture. This initiative is set to be implemented within an agreed timeframe from December 2025 to February 2028, catering to the local community's needs.

For more details, you can visit the official site: Kotokoto Hiroba.

Quotes from Leadership

The representative of Kosodate Biyori, Ms. Aimi Koike, emphasized, “In an era where the challenges of child-rearing can lead to isolation, it’s vital to create a system where the community grows together. When adults gently support a child’s desire to try new things, it cultivates opportunities for small dreams to emerge in everyday life. Over time, this can nurture hope and happiness within a child’s heart. By bringing adults together around children, we desire to unfold warmth in society, starting here at Aeon Town Fujimino and radiating outwards.”

Collaborative Framework

This project’s operational structure includes partnerships with:

• - Kosodate Biyori Association (Kawagoe City): Kosodate Biyori
• - Club Tourism Co., Ltd.: Club Tourism
• - Hero Step for Resuscitation Education (Fujimi City), which focuses on teaching vital life-saving skills across generations and integrating “life education” into both schools and communities.

Support and Funding

This initiative is enhanced by support from Aeon Town Co., Ltd. for venue provision and funding from the NPO Shinjuku Child Care Network to ensure effective resource allocation.

For additional information on Aeon Town Fujimino’s cotokoto, please visit: Aeon Town Fujimino.