Refugees at home: Japan’s hidden youth homelessness – Part I

Japan is rarely associated with poverty. Its nominal GDP remains the world’s fourth largest after the U.S., China and Germany, and it has the lowest unemployment rate among the top seven advanced economies. Yet Japan slips to the 24th spot when measured by the United Nations Human Development Index, which considers wider criteria, including education and health (Switzerland tops this ranking).

In fact, homelessness and prostitution are on the rise across Japan, particularly among the youth. The Japanese authorities claim that only 2,820 homeless, 0% of the total in the country of 125 million, have been found by municipality government officials who visit parks, riverbanks, streets, train stations and other public installations to eyewitness them. Another government survey reveals that the average age of these homeless people is over 63, which points to pension and aging-related health issues.

However, these statistics do not include a larger and more subtle homelessness. In Tokyo alone, 4,000 people per day sleep in 24-hour cafes or on the couch of someone they may or may not know, with even complete strangers offering “help” on social media. This is a glimpse of the hidden homelessness in Japan.

“Net Cafe Refugees” need decent work and living wage

Japan’s 24-hour “internet cafes” provide a 20-square-foot booth for overnight stays between $10 and $20. Customers sleep in reclining chairs and use showers and coin-operated laundry machines. Some may have just arrived in urban areas without any friends or jobs, but others are compelled to extend their stay in these cafes as their work does not earn enough for independent living.

Japan has announced a 3.3 % record hike in minimum wage, but it is still $7.16, less than half of Australia ($14.97) and 30 percent of the UK ($11.43) and France ($10.71). The Japanese rental system also has strict background checks, including a steady job history (I faced this dilemma when I moved back to Japan after working with the United Nations for 20 years) and hefty security deposits. This works against the un-/under-employed youth, especially if they come from troubled families unwilling or unable to help.

Who are “Toyoko Kids”?

Homelessness in Japan extends to teens and children. About 80,000 Japanese go “missing” annually, 40% of whom are teens and in their 20s. It is most likely under-reported and exacerbated by COVID-19, which exposed women and children to domestic violence. Many have congregated in urban redlight districts, such as Shinjuku Kabukicho. For example, “Toyoko Kids,” named after the popular meeting spot near the Toho Cinema, seek refuge in street life, having run away from abuse at home and in school. Many of them are engaged in prostitution in the traditionally red-light district while the police look away (to be discussed more in Part II).

Support groups for homelessness

Japan’s homelessness is hard to spot. The Japanese government has removed many homeless self-made shelters, forcefully at times, in advance of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and the name of urban transformation, as seen in the trendy Shibuya area. Some who live off the internet cafes are dressed in business attire, but their days go by working and sleeping, not even in bed, and cannot have family or save for retirement. Toyoko Kids are left on their own devices, some as young as 10 yet missing education, care and protection. Below are some groups trying to fill these gaps.

• Moyai Support Center, Tokyo (https://www.npomoyai.or.jp/en): counseling, housing support and liaison to social welfare, community empowerment and advocacy
• HomeDoor, Osaka (https://www.lp.homedoor.org/donationpage): safety patrol, housing support, soup kitchen, job placement and support