Japan for the Uninvited

The parks of urban Japan have become the home of its increasing homeless population.

Most homeless people maintain remarkable dignity in their discreet cardboard homes, wishing only to keep out of the way. These homes are regularly cleared by police when concerned locals complain.

These people have also become vulnerable to violence or murder, in “homeless hunting” attacks by Japan’s priveliged and disillusioned youth.

In 2003, a Japanese version of “The Big Issue”, a homelessness charity magazine from the UK, was launched in Osaka.

• ‘Big Issue reaches Japan’ (BBC News)
  
• ‘No drink, no begging: the orderly lives of Japan’s homeless’ (Guardian Unlimited)
  
• ‘Attacks by boys adding injury to insult for Japan’s homeless people’ (NY Times)