Israeli social inclusion model opens a new Tokyo cafe

An Israeli social enterprise model has been exported to Tokyo, where the new cafe GOOD THE GOOD recently opened in Japan’s capital using a framework developed by the Israeli group Shkulot Tov. The project combines meaningful employment for people with mental health challenges and everyday contact with the community, echoing similar initiatives the group has run in Israel.

The partnership grew out of cooperation between Shkulot Tov and the Japanese company Start-Line, one of Japan’s leading organizations in helping people with disabilities enter the workforce. Japanese staff received professional training based on the Israeli group’s experience, as Japan, like many countries, has been grappling with the social challenge of integrating people with disabilities into employment.

Shkulot Tov is known in Israel for projects including the Sipur Chozer bookstore chain, the Cafe Tov social cafes and second-hand stores nationwide. According to the organization, its model has helped thousands of people with disabilities join the open labor market while strengthening independence and community inclusion.

Israeli ambassador to Japan Gilad Cohen visited the cafe for the launch, along with economic attaché Daniel Kolber and embassy spokeswoman Mor Eliyahu. The delegation toured the cafe, met the Japanese management and staff, and heard from employees about their personal stories. Cohen also joined workers behind the coffee machine and prepared drinks for guests. The employees, who are people coping with mental illness, served food for the delegation, while Cohen spoke about similar initiatives in Israel and about Israeli society’s response since the war began. He said, “The issue of advancing the integration of people with disabilities in society and employment is very close to my heart.”