Tales from the Shelters

5 September 2003, 19:55

After my rant about the homeless problem in Tokyo, the Japan Times kindly ran a series of interviews with people on the street. It made for very interesting reading;

1. A 62 y.o Okinawan man’s uphill struggle to find work in Tokyo.

2. A 20 y.o ex-underworld-member consumed by apathy.

3. A couple haunted by financial and marital problems find solace with one another.

4. A 42 y.o computer specialist with few social skills loses his job and his pride.

Although every story is different, there seems to be a similar undercurrent running through most of these interviews – the distressing loss of income, pride or interpersonal relationships in the wake of Japan’s economic slump.

It will be interesting to see what happens to the homeless population if and when Japan’s economy improves.

Sometimes it seems criminal that we get paid a pretty packet for teaching English to Japanese, while Japanese people themselves, work ridiculous hours for less income. Or find themselves on the street because they have no financial or familial support after their company’s or family’s collapse…

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