crime

Tokyo governor concerned over growing attacks on homeless

13 Comments

In the wake of a number of cases in which youths have viciously and senselessly attacked homeless people living on the streets, Tokyo Gov Yoichi Masuzoe has announced his desire to establish awareness programs at public schools and encourage the employment and education of homeless individuals, as well as establish programs to help combat homelessness within the metropolitan area.

"Anyone who attacks these defenseless people are committing truly heinous acts," Masuzoe told a news conference on Friday. "The fact that many of these assailants are young kids, I believe, is a problem we need to address in our schools. Therefore, it is my desire that we strengthen and continue to educate our students about compassion for one another, and of the true plight of those who live without shelter."

Within the Tokyo area, there are shelters and support centers for homeless people located in Shinjuku, Ikebukuro and other wards.

According to NHK, a recent study conducted in Tokyo in which 300 homeless people were interviewed showed that approximately 40% of them had been attacked by gangs of young people using rocks, their fists or by kicking them.

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13 Comments
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These acts clearly show how 'some' Japanese youth are slowly becoming the brain dead copycats that seem to plague the western world.

One thing that I've always noticed in Japan is how the homeless are for the most part 'quiet and keep to themselves'. If these idiot youth continue down this path, they will end up changing that clam and quiet existence. Japan will end up with homeless people that will become violent if they perceive a threat even if none exists. Soon those homeless persons will end up frazzled and the problem that exists in large U.S. cities with violent crimes will escalate.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

These acts clearly show how 'some' Japanese youth are slowly becoming the brain dead copycats that seem to plague the western world.

Attacks against the homeless by youths have been occuring in Japan for years/decades. This isn't some kind of western import if that's what you are suggesting.

I think it boils down to a lack of empathy which can be seen at every level of Japanese society, in part because these kids live in a society where they will never be homeless, come close to ever knowing anyone who has been homeless or remotely understand why some people become homeless.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

Why aren’t Japanese police patrolling the streets. You only ever see them in a police box or a patrol car. They need to be walking the streets, watching.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

There is Seikatsu hougo, but you need an address, which is a problem, since many municipalities reject people when they give the address of a homeless advocacy group such as Moyai, Shinjuku Renraku kai, etc. And even when people have an address, too much is left to the discretion of the people behind the window. When I was working with the homeless,, Sumida ku was relatively decent, but Taito ku was ruthless.

And then we have infamous cases in Adachi ku and Kitakyushu where not-yet-homeless starved to death because of rejection.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

And then we have infamous cases in Adachi ku and Kitakyushu where not-yet-homeless starved to death because of rejection.

and we call Japan a developed country. I wonder if I can find a place to volunteer and help these people instead of ranting on JT.

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

Only a person without a trace of conscience can attack a defenseless homeless who has nothing left to lose. These violent juveniles are socially lower than cockroaches.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

What about schools? Do they make charity work or volunteer work to involve and educate the children in the spirit of emphaty and care ? Or they are grown up like an elytist society like 'arian people'?

6 ( +6 / -0 )

I blame the parents

0 ( +0 / -0 )

40% of attacks were by children or youths, according to the survey, leaving 60% that were not.

Have not seen the news saying what percent were homeless-on-homeless.

http://jen.jiji.com/jc/i?g=eco&k=2014081600227

Nearly 40 pct of respondents said the attackers were children or youths, while 75 pct said the perpetrators were two or more.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Maybe the keisatsu should do more patrolling? Or the government should look into why there are so many homeless?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@NeoJamal, look at Second Harvest Japan if you want to volunteer.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

In Japan having employment shows a persons worth but in Japan when you are homeless and don't have a job you are kicked to the curb urinated on beat and spit on. A dog gets better treatment but not a homeless person in Japan all they have is those who they can identify with the black suitors "crows" I have seen do some nasty things! Being homeless in Japan is a loss of identity voiceless souls!

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@NeoJamal, look at Second Harvest Japan if you want to volunteer. - See more at: http://www.japantoday.com/category/crime/view/tokyo-governor-concerned-over-growing-attacks-on-homeless#comment_1831893

Thanks bud

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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