I know many of you have some very interesting… ideas on what Japanese school life is like. I can assure you that it’s far more dull than your brains have made it out to be. For example, here is a bit of dry history on what Japanese children eat at school each day in Hiroshima.

In 1950, lunch cost 6 yen 50 (smaller version of the yen that no longer exists)- and consisted of a small bread roll, a piece of chocolate and a glass of milk.

Now compare that to school lunches today…

From 2008, lunches went up to 220/265 yen per day and included milk, curry rice or similar often meat based main dish, cooked vegetable dish, soup and rice or bread. There was switch to serving rice 4 times per week and bread on the other days from 2006.

I think the author also forgot the part about the carton of whole (as in 100% pure) milk the kids get to drink with their lunches.

Here are some fun ‘Josh’ learned school lunch facts, Japanese kids (usually) have to eat the school lunch. There (usually) is no outside lunches allowed. Best of all, you can’t get up from lunch until you’ve finished your school lunch. Trust me, you’ve not seen a small child cry until you force them to eat a bowl full of squid.

But no matter what country you’re in, school lunch is bound to suck. Especially if you’re being forced to eat whale (or dolphin) with your school lunch.

(Via the Hiroshima Parenting Blog)