JLPT N2 Reading Comprehension Lesson 37

Have you ever made a donation? Many people have probably had the experience of donating even a small amount from their allowance to help those suffering from food shortages due to abnormal weather, or those who lost their homes in earthquakes. Today, a new trend is emerging in how people view donations. One company has introduced a system where, when employees eat a low-calorie set meal in the employee cafeteria, a portion of the price becomes a donation to support the diets of children in developing countries. For employees, this not only helps manage their health but also allows them to help others. For the company, it allows them to contribute to society while supporting their employees' health, making it a win-win situation for both employees and the company. In addition, an increasing number of companies are selling products "with donations attached." When consumers buy a specific product, part of the sales is donated. Although the price is slightly higher compared to other products, the convenience of being able to donate at the same time as purchasing the product is welcomed by consumers, and sales are reportedly growing. Until now, donations often required people to physically go to a fundraising location or transfer money through a bank. Thus, not a few people who were interested in contributing to society found it troublesome to donate and did not take actual action. The new forms of donation focused on this issue, making donating easier than before and making social contribution more accessible. Furthermore, for companies, this initiative offers many benefits, such as improving their corporate image and increasing sales. In this way, donations are beginning to be perceived not just as acts of charity, but as activities that also bring benefits to the donors themselves.