It seems impossible that Japan, with 100% literacy and some of the most sophisticated infrastructure & technology in the world, could (already) have a homeless problem. It does.
Just after publication of the March 2009 “homelessness” issue of THE DIGITAL JOURNALIST, for which I am E-Bits Editor, our Editor & Publisher Dirck Halstead received an email from photojournalist James Whitlow Delano about his ongoing project concerning homelessness in Japan. Delano has worked in Southeast and Central Asia, Africa and Europe, and his photographs have appeared in LE MONDE, TIME, NEWSWEEK, various travel and photographic magazines. He was featured in the January 2009 issue of THE DIGITAL JOURNALIST. If you’ve not seen it before, THE DIGITAL JOURNALIST is an online magazine for visual journalism, conceived by founder Halstead to serve as the LIFE magazine of cyberspace. Now 72, Halstead at age 17 became LIFE’s youngest combat photographer when he covered the Guatemalan Civil War. He went on to become UPI’s bureau chief in Saigon during the Vietnam War, and served from Nixon through Clinton as a White House Photographer for TIME.
Of the homeless in Japan, Delano observes, “As with everything else in Japan, it is not surprising to find that there is a uniquely Japanese way to be homeless, or, more accurately, without abode.”
He notes that the concept of ‘saving face‘ is so ingrained into the Japanese culture that its homeless population will resort to anything rather than the humiliation of asking for help from family or friends. Consequently, at least some of these unfortunate but creative souls are finding overnight shelter in such unlikely spots as Internet cafes, where use of a semi-private, bean-bag cushioned booth can be rented for five hours for the 1,200-1,500 Yen, the equivalent of $12-$15 in US currency, and where those with no place to go can sleep, shower, eat, and even surf the net overnight in relatively luxurious surroundings.
I was in Japan for a little over a month in 1991. While there I spent one night in a Tokyo spa called Utopia. I didn’t sleep there because I was homeless, but because my friend and I chose to treat ourselves to the experience of the 5-floor facility that had absolutely everything a spa offers and where you could stay overnight in surreal surroundings of pampered luxury and emerge the next morning refreshed and ready to resume the rapid pace of Japanese urban living – something that was very popular with the young business set in Tokyo at the time.
During my experience of vintage 1991 Japan I never saw an Internet cafe (the concept wasn’t even named until 1994), nor did I see even one homeless person, but that was then and this is now. Since then, and particularly recently, the numbers of both been on the rise. How paradoxical, that with the emergence of more and more amazing technological advances, the society that supports it is under ever-increasing assault. It is the best of times and it is the worst of times, a paradoxical thought Dickens applied to another type of revolution. These are revolutionary times, indeed. And as much as they are evolutionary, they are devolutionary.
Delano’s photographs of the homeless offer a stunning portrait of Japanese culture under economic and social pressures that have taken hold in the US, are well-underway and have already gone global. Also, I highly recommend a visit to Delano’s home site to see more of his highly relevant, socially conscious work from around the world.
It is always heartbreaking to see homeless people, and unfortunately economically challenging times like these put even more stress on finances for homeless/jobless people. It is good to hear how the internet cafes in Japan are providing low-cost shelter to the financially challenged. I also think it’s great that a simple google search will show plenty of local organizations here in the US where people can give aid to the homeless.
The US government seems to be helping out a bit in the form of unemployment, as last Fall the president signed an emergency extension plan to help the unfortunate people who are among many unemployed Americans in an economy with unemployment rates skyrocketing.
“An average of nearly five people are competing for each opening. That’s up sharply from a ratio of less than 2-to-1 in December 2007, when the recession was just starting.” (Even in a recession, some companies are hiring – Associated Press – http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090310/ap_on_bi_ge/help_wanted)
The article shows a glimmer of hope, as discount stores and business liquidators are prosperring and offering employment opportunities for those whose resumes suit company needs. A large group of people affected are those just getting out of college. The number of graduate school applications has increased, with college students acheiving an undergrad degree and deciding to continue education due to a “recession”-ridden market that has “claimed 4.4 million jobs”. (Even in a recession, some companies are hiring – Associated Press)
It’s good to see the government, as well as companies like the internet cafes and charitable organizations, offering support for people who are currently homeless and jobless. I think this shows that not only does the government bail out large corporations (which has gained some criticism by individuals), but the welfare of challenged individuals receiving unemployment is also a priority. I think the economy benefits greatly from companies like yours who post articles to give those struggling homeless/jobless people a voice and bring more people and more support to helping those in need. Even though there may never be a time when nobody is homeless, we will always have charitable organizations for homeless and government support to get people back on their feet. This shows much hope for the future.
It really seems like the current credit crunch is hitting Japan really hard, if their latest export figures are anything to go by and this will only make things worse.
As the human race ‘developes’,some members may find themselves pushed out of the ‘protection’ of a basic necessity – a comfortable living habitat.
This would not be seen as a problem until enough number of homeless are generated such that it poses a security or social threat.
It is no wonder this is happening in one of the most advanced nations of our world. It can happen anywhere.
Delano writes that their homeless staus is due to ‘loss of face’.
It is also possible that some of the homeless has a fiercely independent streak.
We need to support japans homeless people
Second harvest is helping them too,