Financial crisis: Japanese pensioners stealing food to survive. Are now 10% of prison population

Was quite shocked to see this. Seems things are so bad for Japanese pensioners they are stealing food, and being jailed for it. Some find the prison life so much better than on the street that some even commit crimes to go back. Isn't it disgusting in a nation that had one of the best economies and manufacturing bases a generation ago.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Financial crisis
• japanese seniors
• japanese pensioners
• jail
• poverty
• pensioners

[MadPutz]

The real problem is having such a huge welfare state with a shrinking workforce (people who actually pay taxes).. Like Europe, Japan will have to wake up to "austerity" one day. When one part of the population works as slaves for the other part of the population which is dependent on them, things to go bad quickly.

[Silvertrine]

Beat them with bamboo sticks for their thievery.

[22bryant]

the reach becomes reacher

the poor becomes poorer

not long ago that old man build that scooter

whoever built such a great machine

should get great wellfare until the end of days,thanks to this people we are a country of wealth,let them rot in jail put them to work for free,we had payed them to much,

[tomken8dy]

On the surface it appears disgraceful. But being incarcerated is actually a reward and perhaps a way of honoring the elderly. They are very well fed and cared for. Remember, this is Japan we're talking about. The Samurai Honor mentality still runs through every aspect of their society. They are 'punished' for the theft of food but given healthy meals tailored to their medical needs. Excellent medical care. THEY ARE NOT ACCEPTING CHARITY. They are being "punished."