TOKYO, Apr. 25 – The Farm Ministry of Japan has released a report on the progress made toward the country’s goals for the fiscal year 2019 in the third national basic plan for shokuiku (food and nutrition education) promotion, on a provisional basis. Regarding the shokuiku for the younger generation, Japan has achieved its numeral goal for inheriting traditional food and dishes. On the other hand, the ratio of young people skipping breakfast was up compared to the rate in 2015. The promotion of dietary education for the younger generation is considered to be very important in the country, but the report unveiled the fact that its effort still fell short.
The plan for the nation’s dietary education promotion is created every five years. The current basic plan has 21 numeral targets that should be met by the fiscal year 2020. The plan focuses on the education for people who are soon to be raising children. Therefore, it set goals for its people in their 20s and 30s for the first time.
According to the report, 62% of the youth said traditional food and dishes were already part of their lives. Japan has been offering its people more chance to experience Japanese food culture via school lunch and workshops focusing on Japanese food to meet the target (60%). Also, the percentage of young people with knowledge about food safety also was over the target of 70%.
On the other hand, 26% of young people in Japan are skipping breakfast, according to the report. The number remains almost unchanged from 25% in 2015, far below the target of 15%. Also, only 37% of younger generations said they eat a well-balanced meal that combines staple foods, main dishes, and side dishes. The number is below the target (55%) and was lower than 43% in 2015.