Homeless in Japan

Japan has been a late bloomer among the industrialized countries in developing a sizable homeless population. After the bubble economy burst, it became a problem that the government could not ignore. But sadly, policies have continued to exclude and keep homeless from reintegrating back into society. With the average age of the homeless being 56 years old it seems as if the government is waiting for the problem to die (literally) instead of taking action. If you are wondering why all of the homeless are men in this video, it is because 96% percent of the homeless in Japan are male. Other interesting facts are that there are quit literally no homeless children. These are just a few of the unique aspects of the homeless in Japan.

All pictures were taken by me either in Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, or Okinawa Japan

Music was recorded from a two man group preforming outside of Hirakatashi eki.

Thanks,
GaijinGuide

Copyright gaijinguide 2007

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• homeless
• homelessness
• japan
• poor
• asia
• pictures
• shelters
• gaijin
• guide
• gaijinguide
• travel
• kamagasaki
• 日本

[sunday325]

Some people who look homeless are not. They just passed out on a bench from drinking too much.

[GaijinGuide]

Likewise, some homeless have jobs and work everyday but cannot afford the rent in Osaka or Tokyo.

[GaijinGuide]

違う。世界にそのホームレスの場合について教えている。このビデ­オは本気だった。冗談じゃなかった。

[kohyin]

あなたの視野の広さと心の深さが伝わってくるビデオです。

[GaijinGuide]

～ありがとうございます

[TaskForceSixTwoSix]

I've worked with homeless people. The harsh reality is that most have mental issues and prefer to live this way. You offer them shelter and they reject it. They're just "gone" mentally. They live in their own personal world. The government can't really do anything for people who refuse help. I also seriously doubt that there's no homeless kids in Japan. Their parents just hide them so the authorities don't take them away. The lack of female homeless surprises me, though - if true. Why is that?

[K9LLL]

The song is really good

[WillyyyV]

@thandieu222001, I guess its cause they would then loss their job they already have in Tokyo. Plus, its not as easy to find a job anywhere else. Its kind of like asking why are there so many homeless in Washington D.C. when they know it is so expensive? I guess that its just a homeless thing.

[thandieu222001]

@GaijinGuide not trying to put japanese down but like you said they have jobs which mean they are able and willing to work so why not move away from osaka or tokyo? (to a cheaper places)

[KrptoSodium]

I count my blessings everyday, and give thanks

[blastarrbollaxIII]

I've seen Thousands of homeless in the parks & on the streets of Osaka.

Japan's culture of cruelty.

If you become one of the Unwanted you've had it.

That's what these people are ... the Unwanted!.

Outside a supermarket one night, getting soaked by heavy rain, huddled up with no boots on & his foot & sock in a puddle lay asleep an unwanted Man.

It broke my heart.

Mind you An old man smoking a packet a day (most do) for 50 years at 2cm wide = a stack 365 mtrs high.

Visualise that waste of money!

[fox20012]

People do not get it at all, rich is the problem. They printed to much paper. You all deserve what you get

[fox20012]

Your a bit behind in this game mate.....

[fox20012]

The problem is the Feit money system brought in around 1971 following the Brenton Woods agreement.

Basically banks lent SHIT loads of money to people to speculate on shelter that they didn't have. But the dirty secret is the interest on that loan mathematically cannot be paid back, the interest doesn't exit in society.

People deserve this shit happening, speculating in shelter with paper money should be against the law.

[fox20012]

Ive seen 1k apartments going for $5000 all the way up to $60 all over Tokyo, so I'm not sure that rent is as all bad as what is was back in the 90's bubble.