Homelessness in Japan

Homelessness grew noticeably more widespread in Japanese society since the collapse of the Japanese asset price bubble across the 1990s, and the resulting "Lost Decade" of economic stagnation. This has resulted in higher unemployment, a contributing factor towards potential homelessness. At the beginning of the 1990s, the homeless in Japan were viewed as a nuisance. The government tried to get rid of the street people "because the environment there needed beautification".[1] Due to bureaucratic obstacles, it was quite hard for the homeless to obtain benefits that they might have been eligible to receive. Only in 1997 did Tokyo at last acknowledge the existence of homeless group representatives and start listening to their issues[2]. Middle-aged and elderly men account for 95%, the average age is 57.5 years old.[3]

In 1998, officials claimed there were around 3,700 homeless in Tokyo alone. Homeless support groups estimated the number to be close to 5,000 and indicated that this number was rapidly increasing.[4] In 2001, the government reported there were approximately 25,000 homeless people in Japan.[5] In 2009, homelessness in Japan increased sharply due to the rise in unemployment.[6] As of 2014, the number of homeless people in Tokyo reached a record low, only about 1,697 people or one person for every 10,000 city inhabitants.[7]In 2018, number of homeless people in Japan is 4977 (4607 males, 177 females and 193 people of obscurity), compared with the previous year total homeless of 5534 people (▲10.1%) it decreased.[8]

Since the 1990s, part-time and temporary employment has increased in Japan, often at the minimum wage, in part due to changes in legislation in 1986 and 1999. Renting accommodation in Japan usually requires a deposit and three months' rent in advance, making access difficult for those without a permanent employment. This has increased the homelessness problem.[9]

In 2019, Japan had 22 million part-time and temp workers, compared to 17 million in 2011, according to Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.

According to a survey conducted by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare between January and February 2003, the total number of homeless people in Japan at that time was 25,296. However, according to another survey conducted by the Ministry, by January 2007 the number had fallen to 18,564 due to economic recovery across Japan.[10] At that time middle-aged and elderly men accounted for 95% of the homeless population,[11] with the average age being 57.5 years old.[10]

For the first time between June and July 2007 a survey was done by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in regards to people spending the night at Internet cafés and 24-hour shops. The study found that across Japan, the number of people either sleeping or staying up all night in these places was around 5,400.[12] The survey found that the number of homeless people in the eastern part of Japan, where the winter is comparatively colder, was 9,225;[13] while the number of homeless people in the western part of Japan (described in the study as areas west of Toyama, Gifu, and Aichi prefectures), where the winter is comparatively warmer, was 9,339.[13] Since the numbers were approximately the same, it was concluded that there was not a strong correlation between climate conditions and distribution of homelessness across the country. When divided by administrative divisions the highest number of homeless people was in Tokyo metropolitan area, at 2,672.[10] Second-highest was Osaka metropolitan area at 2,500, and third-highest was Kanagawa prefecture at 1,814 people. When divided by municipal districts, the highest number of homeless people was in the 23 districts of Tokyo, at 2,396.[10] Second-highest was Osaka city at 2,171 people, and third-highest was Yokohama city at 692 people.

In January 2010, a nationwide survey regarding the state of homelessness in Japan found that the number of homeless people at that time had fallen again to 13,124.[14]

In Western Japan, especially Osaka, there are many volunteer organisations and religious groups. The majority of these organisations are Christian, and provide assistance and emergency rice-feeding to the homeless population. This kind of support is also provided in Yokohama.

In August 2002, the "Special Act in regards to Supporting the Autonomy of the Homeless Population" (Japanese: jp:ホームレスの自立の支援等に関する特別措置法) was enacted, and proper support began to be offered by the country, including the first nationwide survey into the homelessness of the country, launched by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in February 2003. A factual investigation was also conducted in April 2007.

• People without the income, savings or property to meet the basic necessities of living were able to receive livelihood protection.
• Women escaping from domestic violence, or from former partners seeking to restart former relationships, were able to receive support from women's care institutions, refuges, and shelters.
• In the case of minors, forms of support such as child welfare institutions were also made available.

Some specific aspects of Japanese homelessness are due to the social structure of Japanese society. Historically, men were the sole providers for their families. Japanese companies believe that married men work better than unmarried ones do because the former feel more obligations and responsibilities toward their families. Hence, not only elderly men, who face ageism and cannot find employment, but unmarried men over 35 years old have difficulties in finding employment. It does not cause poorer men on average, but rather a greater variance, with increased number of both considerably rich and considerably poor men, in effect producing a greater number of homeless men than homeless women in Japan.[15] Furthermore, families usually provide more support for women than they do for men.[16]

As of 2011, Japan is continuing to experience economic recession. Finding even low-paid jobs is not easy. For ¥1,500 to ¥2,000 per night homeless people have been staying in Internet cafés or capsule hotels,[17] where they get an individual room (space) and a shower, television, soft drinks and Internet access.[18]

• Kamagasaki
• Poverty in Japan
• Deinstitutionalisation
• Tokyo Godfathers - an animated film about three homeless people in Tokyo
• 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
• Economy of Japan

• Homelessness in Japan video series, Life Where I'm From, YouTube
• "Slumming in Osaka/Mother's Day, 11:30 PM, Ashiya, Hyogo-ken, Japan"