Hibiya Park Homeless Become Symbol Of Economic Woes

[Mulboyne]

[floatl][/floatl]AFP: Jobless flood 'tent village'
A NEW Year shelter for Japan's growing number of jobless had to move from a park into a government building yesterday, after more people than expected flocked to the makeshift 'tent village'. The shelter - which was made up of 50 tents - was set up by volunteers and labour unions on New Year's Eve to offer free food and shelter for homeless people, including laid-off temporary workers who were forced to leave lodging provided by their employers. The 'village' was located at Tokyo's Hibiya Park, which is in front of the Imperial Hotel, one of Japan's most luxurious hotels. But the organisers had to seek the government's help after more than 300 people flocked to the shelter which could accommodate at most 250 people, said Japanese media. The government late on Friday decided to allow the homeless to move to a ministry hall where they could stay until tomorrow. Job counselling and other efforts are also under way to place the homeless in other locations. The tent village highlights the serious social costs of the global recession for the world's second largest economy...more...

[Behan]

Back in the 90s there was a homeless community at Shinjuku Station, too.

[canman]

I'm of two minds about this. I understand that people in trouble need help, but on the other hand how many of these people skated through high school, or didn't go, took the easy way out thinking that Japan's economic miracle would sustain them forever. Since I started teaching at two different high schools and seeing how some kids just don't care, thinking that they are different and will be able to do whatever they like, it's punks like this don't deserve our help. But the problem is how do you sort out who is really deserving and who isn't.

[kusai Jijii]

I'm of two minds about this. I understand that people in trouble need help, but on the other hand how many of these people skated through high school, or didn't go, took the easy way out thinking that Japan's economic miracle would sustain them forever...

With respect, Canman, I think the issue is a little more complex than the way you have characterized it above. There are usually underlying reasons why some kids underperform/drop out of school, and IMOH, laziness just aint the main one. In any case, having a good 'gakureki' these days simply aint a gaurantee that you will either find or keep a 'good job'. IMOH ANYONE (including those who have 'fucked up') who wants to work but cant find a job, a roof over their heads, or a meal deserves our help. And this is what makes the government's economic stimulus package just soooo fucking wrong.

Just my 2 yens worth. Righto right wingers & neocons, fire away. lets get it on.

[canman]

I appreciate your point of view and do feel that some people need to be taken care of, those who are the most vulnerable, but the ones I'm talking about are young and stupid and don't see the need for an education or anything other than having fun and playing with their gd keitas. But that will come back to haunt you in the future, and yes an education or a degree is not a guarantee that you won't lose your job, but I think there is a much better chance that you can find another one. The group I feel most for are the 50 year old laborers who built this country, and now that they are older and not as useful they have become disposable. They are the ones needing our help.

[kusai Jijii]

Fair point Canman. But I just think the young keitai weilding idiots are more of a victim of their own culture than anything else. I mean, when you have so-called 'baka-tarento' on TV every night, valorized for their 'cute' idiocy, is it any wonder that many kids these days cant see the point in being studious?

[GuyJean]

.. including laid-off temporary workers who were forced to leave lodging provided by their employers..

If I were a temp worker, I sure as hell wouldn't want my employer providing my housing. I'm sure they kick you out even if you have money saved and can pay rent.. How fucked up is that?

Companies shouldn't be able to provide housing for temp workers, or some 'grace period' should be allowed if the worker is laid off.. The whole 'housing' structure in Japan will only exacerbate the homeless situation.. Maybe even more so than the US housing situation.. Just my opinion.

GJ

[Takechanpoo]

Next are regular employees to be laid off.
No one should speak about them like other people's affair.

[canman]

I agree with you GJ, I mean it's not like they need you out of the apartment so another worker can move in. They are laying people off. I figure give them at least 2 months, to vacate the place. Perhaps ask them to pay the utilities that they use since they aren't a worker, but it beats the hell out of being homeless. I think this all comes back to this totally fucked up situation they have in Japan, only being able to find an apartment through the use of a real estate agent, who then must be paid, and then the gift to the owner and all the other crap, totaling 4-5 months rent at one time. Not a lot of people can shell that kind of money out, let alone people living pay check to pay check. Why doesn't the gov't look into doing something about that.

[wuchan]

Why doesn't the gov't look into doing something about that.

something about the top 2% controlling the diet. If the J-government starts to look after the masses then the guys running the mega-corps (mitsubishi, sumitomo, fuji, etc...) will have to hide more than they already do. People might begin to wonder "why?" and as all FG working here know, that is the last thing they want.

On a side note: there is a rumor that NIKE will be helping in the redevelopment of that sports park near shibuya next to the yamanote line, the one with the futsal courts and homeless shacks.

[prolly]

Back in the 90s there was a homeless community at Shinjuku Station, too.

there still is - in the tunnel on the west exit, past the mode building

[Mulboyne]

It seems to me that when I speak with people outside Japan, they generally believe that Japan is relatively well-insulated from the icy winds affecting the rest of the world economy. Indeed, I'm being contacted by businesses who have seen their sales collapse at home and are wondering whether they can now tap into Japan to pick up the slack. This perception is fuelled by the knowledge that it was Japanese financial institutions who provided capital to their distressed US counterparts. They also look at the strong yen and assume that it reflects a relatively robust economy.

The truth, however, is that many Japanese are more fearful for their economic security than at any time since 1998 which saw the fall of Yamaichi Securities and LTCB. For some, it feels even worse. Unemployment fears are widespread and many employees have not been paid enough in recent years to give them a cushion of savings to soften the blow. I saw a J-Cast article the other day with the following title: "For Sony, being in business is more important than keeping employment". The piece explains to readers that the media seems to be accepting that major companies like Sony are facing a choice between staying in business and retaining employees with employees as the losers.

The reason I posted this Hibiya Park story is that it has become symbolic of these fears. Everyone knows that major cities in Japan have a population of homeless. This park is different because it was intended only a short-term affair but attracted more people than expected and there seem to be more young, unemployed dispatch company employees among the crowd which has raised concerns that Japan's youth is being let down by companies and the state.

The post-bubble years saw sharply reduced employment opportunities for school leavers and college graduates. Some normality was re-established from around 2000 and the five years between 2003 and 2007 were fairly good. However, there is a generation in their late twenties to mid thirties who have never really been been in stable employment. The government has been trying to figure out how to bring that lost tribe back into the corporate fold when suddenly they are back at square one as employers are once again withdrawing job offers to new graduates. Not only, then, have they missed a chance to do something about those who fell through the cracks previously, there is now a chance that a new generation will suffer the same fate.

Most FGs will know that the strong yen is causing a lot of pain for Japanese exporters but the speed with which the outlook has changed is surprising. Bear in mind that Japan has just experienced the longest post-war economic expansion. You would have thought that Japanese companies had established some kind of buffer to see them through the next downturn. Instead, however, they have been battening down the hatches faster than ever before. All this couldn't have come at a worse time for the LDP given that 2009 is an election year.

On a side note: there is a rumor that NIKE will be helping in the redevelopment of that sports park near shibuya next to the yamanote line, the one with the futsal courts and homeless shacks.

Details in this thread.

[Catoneinutica]

If I were a temp worker, I sure as hell wouldn't want my employer providing my housing. I'm sure they kick you out even if you have money saved and can pay rent.. How fucked up is that?

Companies shouldn't be able to provide housing for temp workers, or some 'grace period' should be allowed if the worker is laid off.. The whole 'housing' structure in Japan will only exacerbate the homeless situation.. Maybe even more so than the US housing situation.. Just my opinion.

GJ

Yeah, the whole company-provided housing thing really brings to mind the "company towns" of 19th-century/early 20th-century America. You live in company dorms, eat in company messes, go to company hospitals, get paid in company scrip. It all reeks of indentured servitude. Not surprisingly, then, the "company town" paradigm has been pretty resilient in Japan.

[Ketou]

Yeah, the whole company-provided housing thing really brings to mind the "company towns" of 19th-century/early 20th-century America. You live in company dorms, eat in company messes, go to company hospitals, get paid in company scrip. It all reeks of indentured servitude. Not surprisingly, then, the "company town" paradigm has been pretty resilient in Japan.

The only difference in the west these days is that the servitude is to the Central Banking system and you get the nice illusion of being free.

It is good that so many young turned up to the tent city. Maybe Japan will begin to actually examine the homeless problem instead of simply blaming them for their own predicament.

[omae mona]

While I've seen the homeless hanging around Shinjuku station for over a decade (particularly near the underground west exit), I had a new experience a few days ago in that area. A guy who seemed like an out-of-luck ex-salaryman came up to me asking if I spoke English. He certainly did not speak English (except for a few words), but he managed to convey in English, that he would like me to give him 500 yen. Due to the type of coins and bills I happened to be carrying, I only had a choice of giving him 7 yen or 5000 yen, so I politely refused. Anyway, I wasn't sure whether to be offended that he was obviously targeting foreigners, or if I should feel sympathetic after he decided foreigners are the only people nice enough to help out.

But this is the first time I've been explicitly asked for money by somebody in Japan. Is this behavior on the increase, or have I just missed out on all the fun?

[GomiGirl]

Very rarely this has happened to me too. I have gone and bought one guy a sandwich but never given money.

[Mulboyne]

...This is the first time I've been explicitly asked for money by somebody in Japan. Is this behavior on the increase, or have I just missed out on all the fun?

Homeless people have been hanging around stations like Shinjuku and Shibuya for years. They'll often wait near the ticket machines to check for forgotten change. They'll also pick up coins when people drop them and ask for a tip. I've been approached a few times by homeless at stations which suggests either that they do target white guys or else they have marked me out as one of their own.

[Takechanpoo]

[Mike Oxlong]

Very rarely this has happened to me too. I have gone and bought one guy a sandwich but never given money.

Yeah, back when beer machines were common, I was occasionally approached by the homeless asking if I'd shout for a can. Did once, and the chick looked like she was gonna follow me home...

[samuraiwig]

This is the first time I've been explicitly asked for money by somebody in Japan. Is this behavior on the increase, or have I just missed out on all the fun?

I've seen this happen and experienced it a lot. Maybe I look like a soft touch. I think it's been commonplace for several years that Japanese homeless find more luck asking foreigners.

It's also interesting that there are often non-Japanese involved in what equates to charity work in Japan. Probably Japanese involvement in charities and NGOs has increased over time, but while I see people every day collecting money for Cambodian schools and the like I never see anyone collecting for domestic charities.

[Taro Toporific]

[Behan]

Taro, a page pops up saying this:

This site has been temporarily suspended.

Please bear with me while the claims made by this site author are verified.

-- The Admin --

[Mulboyne]

I got a quick look at it while it was still up. As the brief paragraph that Taro posted says, the guy has lost his job & his wife. He says he has nearly three years on his visa and four on his passport so believes he is probably OK to stay in Japan for the time being. A friend of his has offered him a room but he has been reluctant to impose on them because the bloke's wife is expecting a baby. He has therefore decided to hike around Japan in the manner of Will Ferguson. He explicitly says that he hopes he can generate some media interest through his blog and perhaps swing a book deal. When I read that, I though to myself that the temptation to exaggerate, or outright fabricate, in the interests of coming up with a decent narrative would likely be almost irresistible.

[Ol Dirty Gaijin]

But this is the first time I've been explicitly asked for money by somebody in Japan. Is this behavior on the increase, or have I just missed out on all the fun?

Used to be a guy scumming money off of foreigners in Shinbashi Station on the Ginza line. Would do the broken English approach and hard luck story to get home shit. He didn't look badly off and was doing this as a scam.
The first time I declined. The second time, after seeing him there many times before pulling it on others, I started yelling at him in Japanese telling what a prick he was etc. He bolted and I've never seen him again.

[Behan]

Good on you, ODG.

I gave money to an FG carrying a rabbit in a cage on the train. He gave me a hard luck story and it looked like the rabbit was a way of getting attention from Chrysanthemums.

[Taro Toporific]

[TennoChinko]

[GuyJean]

.. When I read that, I though to myself that the temptation to exaggerate, or outright fabricate, in the interests of coming up with a decent narrative would likely be almost irresistible.

You might be on to something]Website Suspended
The Blogging Bum is currently undergoing an investigation to confirm the accuracy of the content.

Please try back in another day or so.
Sorry for the inconvenience.[/QUOTE] GJ

[Ol Dirty Gaijin]

[Greji]