Fukuoka City has pledged to improve its school lunch menu after a photo showing a school meal with only one piece of karaage fried chicken sparked criticism on social media. The single piece of karaage, weighing about 60 grams and containing 155 kilocalories, was intended to meet nutritional and caloric standards, but its appearance was widely perceived as insufficient amid rising food costs. Fukuoka Mayor Takashima expressed shock and acknowledged the importance of meal presentation, committing to allocate necessary budget to enhance lunch quality. The city’s Board of Education plans to establish a committee involving nutrition experts, culinary professionals, and restaurant operators to revise the menu and address both nutritional balance and visual appeal. This issue highlights broader challenges faced by municipalities across Japan, where inflation has led to adjustments in school lunch ingredients and portions, including reductions in dessert servings and substitutions of costlier items with cheaper alternatives. The situation reflects ongoing concerns about food affordability and nutritional adequacy in public school meals amid economic pressures.