The controversy began after a photo of a school lunch, consisting of only a single piece of Karaage (Japanese fried chicken), was shared online, sparking nationwide discussion about nutrition in Japanese public academia. Critics argue that this is part of an ongoing issue surrounding inadequate nourishment for school children. Supporters, however, commend the austerity trend as reflecting fiscal responsibility on the part of education authorities.

In Japan, school lunch is more than just a meal – it is a critical part of education. Nationwide guidelines stipulate balanced nutritional distribution across all meals served to students. These rules stem from a post-war era when poverty and malnutrition were rampant. Thus, school lunch plays an essential role in addressing socioeconomic inequality. The incident has ignited extensive discussions on social media and forced the government to consider the delicate balance between fiscal efficiency and the nutritional needs of students.

In the US and EU, similar concerns over school lunches have been raised in the past. These debates often focus on the nutritional balance and affordability of meals, with a push towards healthier and locally sourced options. The US has federal programs like the National School Lunch Program to ensure that all students, regardless of socioeconomic status, have access to healthy meals.