Municipalities and support groups are offering after-school care for children who are alone at home because their parents have to work long hours or late at night due to low income, hoping to break the poverty cycle.
The supporters help them build good habits such as washing their hands and doing household tasks, as children from poor households often lack knowledge of everyday hygiene or households chores.
"I'm home! Let's go out and play!" one child said to a staff member as about 10 early-grade pupils at an after-school care center in Toda, Saitama Prefecture, began assembling at around 3 p.m.