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Tofu vendor delivers much more than healthy food to an east Tokyo neighborhood
Akiko Sugaya has delivered tofu for 23 years and uses her daily rounds to check on isolated elderly residents in a neighborhood with few regular visitors.
- Tofu vendor Akiko Sugaya travels through Tokyo's Ojima neighborhood selling tofu, but her mission extends beyond food as she acts as a social conduit checking on elderly residents during her daily rounds.
- In Japan, where elderly residents often live alone, Sugaya addresses the isolation many face; she has discovered deceased customers over the years, a growing concern in a nation with one of the world's oldest populations.
- By observing habits like family, Sugaya monitors for signs of distress such as Uncollected newspapers and unattended laundry, telltale indicators easily spotted in small neighborhood dwellings.
- Customer Toshi Niiyama waits for Sugaya, whom he calls Ako-chan, while Saito describes her accepting personality as "magical," reflecting the deep trust built through her consistent visits.
- After 23 years of service, Sugaya finds that delivering healthy food nourishes both her customers and herself, providing the value she needed to overcome past bullying and build self-esteem.
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27 Articles
27 Articles
Associated Press News+25 Reposted by 25 other sources
Tofu vendor delivers much more than healthy food to an east Tokyo neighborhood
Akiko Sugaya wheels a cart through the alley-like streets of eastern Tokyo selling tofu, the protein-rich staple favored in much of Asia.
·New York, United States
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Akiko Sugaya walks the narrow streets of eastern Tokyo as she pulls out of her cart where she sells tofu, a protein-rich and highly popular food in much of Asia.
Coverage Details
Total News Sources27
Leaning Left12Leaning Right2Center11Last UpdatedBias Distribution48% Left
Bias Distribution
- 48% of the sources lean Left
48% Left
L 48%
C 44%
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