보건복지부 영문홈페이지

Korea and Japan Cooperate

for the Food Donation Policy Development

- Minister of Health and Welfare Cho KyooHong meets

with Japan's Minister of State for Special Missions Jimi Hanako -

Minister Cho KyooHong of the Ministry of Health and Welfare met with Jimi Hanako, Japan's Minister of State for Special Missions* on the afternoon of Friday, July 19, at the Westin Chosun Hotel. They agreed on the need to strengthen Korea-Japan cooperation, specifically discussing detailed ideas regarding food donation policies.

Minister Cho shared the achievements of cooperation between Korea and Japan in the fields of health and welfare, stating, "It is desirable to expand cooperation in specific policy areas such as food donation." He then introduced the current status of Korea's Food Banks* and the policy direction including linking government welfare support to food bank users.

* Food Banks in Korea are establishments that receive donations of food and daily necessities from companies and individuals and provide them to vulnerable groups such as emergency support recipients, low-income families, and those excluded from basic living security benefits.

Minister Jimi Hanako agreed on the need to enhance Korea-Japan cooperation, noting, "Japan is paying attention to Korea's Food Bank model, which has been systematically operated for over 20 years." She added, "We will consider the Korean model when developing related policies."

Following the meeting, the Japanese delegation visited a Food Bank in Jongno-gu to observe its operation firsthand. ///