Policy and Approach
To solve local and social issues, Skylark Group is working to create a prosperous society by collaborating with local communities and stakeholders in various regions, centered around locations such as stores and . In particular, supporting recovery from natural disasters, engagement with local communities, and support for future generations are our priority issues.
Examples of Action
Disaster Response Support
When the Great East Japan Earthquake struck in 2011, we used our Sendai central kitchen and stores in Miyagi Prefecture as bases to serve food to evacuation centers, and more than 500 Group employees from across Japan participated as volunteers. Even after the Great East Japan Earthquake, we have continued to provide support, such as providing meals to affected areas in the event of serious disasters. In response to natural disasters that occur every year in Japan and overseas, we conduct fund-raising activities at approximately 3,000 stores nationwide, and also make matching donations where the company donates the same amount as the amounts of donaions collected.
Learn more about Skylark's relief efforts for the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake (Japanese text only).
Support for Future Generations
Skylark Group aims to do more than just provide delicious, safe, secure, and comfortable dining experiences through food; we also strive to support the children who will shape our future.
Donations to the NPO "Action with Lao Children"
Donating Picture Books to Children in Laos
Since 2011, Skylark Group has donated a portion of the proceeds from our Lao coffee sales to the NPO "Action with Lao Children." These donations have allowed the organization to distribute picture books to children in Laos.
Picture Book Donation Ceremony
In February 2024, we held a donation ceremony for the children at Sokham Primary School and Phonsai Secondary School in Laos. We will continue to donate picture books to bring smiles to the faces of children in Laos.
How the Picture Book Distribution Works
Skylark Group donates a portion of the proceeds from our coffee sales to the NPO "Action with Lao Children." The organization then creates picture books and distributes them to children in Laos.
About the NPO "Action with Lao Children"
"Action with Lao Children" is an international cooperation NGO that has been active in both Japan and Laos since 1982, dedicated to improving the educational environment for children in Laos.
Visit the "Action with Lao Children" Website (Japanese text only).
Background
Laos, the origin of the delicious coffee we serve to our customers, is home to many agricultural producers facing economic hardships. When we first began our support, children from average households in these communities lacked sufficient access to school education.
Driven by our desire to enrich the lives of not only our customers but also our employees, business partners, and the producers who supply us, we collaborated with an NPO and our coffee trading partners to establish a local support framework. We remain committed to steadily carrying out these social contribution activities today.
About Laos
Laos has a population of 6.49 million, and its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is approximately 11.7 billion USD*, representing a relatively compact economic scale—roughly one-fourth that of Tottori Prefecture in Japan.
*Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, "Lao PDR Basic Data"
Influenced by monsoons, the climate of Laos features distinct rainy and dry seasons. Generally, the rainy season runs from May to November, followed by the dry season which lasts through April.
Much of the country is mountainous, and it has retained relatively abundant forest resources compared to neighboring countries. Approximately 80% of the working population is engaged in agriculture.
About Lao Coffee
Coffee is Laos' largest agricultural export. With much of the country covered by mountains, coffee is primarily cultivated on high-altitude plateaus, making the most of the elevation. Known for its exceptional aroma, Laos is well-recognized by coffee connoisseurs around the world as a "hidden gem" for premium coffee beans.
Examples of Picture Books Distributed
We distribute a variety of books tailored to children's interests and educational needs, including popular Lao folktales, workbooks for learning literacy and literature, and picture books with environmental themes.
Photo Gallery
2024
Picture Book Donation Ceremony: Sokham Primary School and Phonsai Secondary School
2022
Opening of School Libraries in Paksong District, Champasak Province, Laos
2018
Picture Book Storytelling
2015
Picture Book Donation Ceremony: Satthit Primary School and Tanmixay Primary School
Supporting OISCA Activities
As a supporting company of OISCA, Skylark Group supports various projects promoted both in Japan and overseas. OISCA conducts rural development and environmental conservation activities, mainly in the Asia-Pacific region. In Japan, it carries out awareness-raising activities through hands-on agriculture and forestry experiences and seminars, as well as environmental conservation activities through tree planting and forest maintenance. In alignment with this philosophy, the Skylark Group has continued its activities as a supporting company since the 1990s.
October 2025
The Chairperson and other representatives from MARA, an organization under the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development of Malaysia, paid a courtesy visit to our company together with representatives from OISCA.
OISCA（Japanese text only）
Wanpaku Sumo
Skylark Group sponsored the tournament held in Setagaya Ward, Tokyo, to support "Wanpaku Sumo," which aims to help children train their minds and bodies and promote better health through Japan's national sport, sumo. We presented dining vouchers to all participants and featured scenes from the tournament on our in-store digital menu books to help raise awareness of the event.
TOKYO Children's Safety Watch Network Project
As a member of the local community, Skylark Group participates in the "TOKYO Children's Safety Watch Network Project" organized by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government to protect the safety and security of children. As part of this initiative, we displayed a video showcasing the project's efforts on our in-store digital menu books. (Streaming period: August 1 – August 31, 2025) We will continue to deepen our collaboration with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and work toward creating an environment where children can spend their time with peace of mind.
Delivering Boxed Meals Weekly at a Discounted Price to NPO "Terakoya Shokudo"
As part of our community contribution activities, Skylark Group delivers Gusto's daily special boxed meals at a special discounted price to the NPOs "Kawasaki Terakoya Shokudo" and "Terakoya Kodomo Shokudo Oji."
We started this initiative in December 2017, and it has been greatly appreciated by local children, parents, and staff.
Participating Stores: Gusto Kawasaki Nagao and Gusto Kawasaki Ikuta
Number of Meals: 25 meals per delivery, 2 days a week (5,000 meals annually)
Terakoya Kodomo Shokudo Oji
Participating Store: Gusto Higashi-Jujo
Number of Meals: 30 meals per delivery, twice a week (1,500 meals annually)
December 2018: A scene from the Christmas party at Kawasaki Terakoya Shokudo (Participants enjoyed Gusto's boxed meals and pizzas)
Engagement with Local Communities
Tokyo Metropolitan Government "Barrier-Free Mind" Support Enterprise
Skylark Group has been registered as a Tokyo Metropolitan Government "Barrier-Free Mind" Support Enterprise. We will support the promotion of welfare-oriented community development where everyone can live and visit safely, securely, and comfortably.
*What is a "Barrier-Free Mind"?: It means thinking about a society and environment where everyone can participate equally, and continuing to take the necessary actions.
Hosting Work Experience Programs
We accept work experience participants from local junior high schools and corporate training at our stores nationwide to deepen the level of our exchanges with local communities. We encourage the managers of each store to place importance on communication with local communities and actively participate in community activities, with the goal of coexisting harmoniously with local communities through our business activities.
Tokyo Symphony Orchestra: Diamond Member
Skylark Group supports the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra, one of Japan's leading professional orchestras, as a Diamond Member. We hope to contribute to passing down musical culture to the next generation, as well as to the development of culture and the arts.
Visit the Tokyo Symphony Orchestra website.