I'm now living just to survive. I have no hope, nothing to rely on...nothing.

So what happened after the two weeks? Did he find another job? Did he move in with friends or family?

To the heartless people who commented: are you aware that many people have no savings? Have you experienced the struggle to make ends meet every month? When you can barely get the money together for rent, food and utility bills, you have none left for savings.

I don't think anyone of us here has the right to judge him or anyone. It just is...

"Wow Mayuki, thank for remembering me!"

Er, do you mean "thank you for reminding me"? (I hope you're not an English teacher; you don't seem to have a sufficient command of the language to be tasked with the responsibility of passing it on to others.) Anyway, not to labour the point, but it is possible for a person to work and not have sufficient savings to be able to pay key money and a security deposit, which are very high in Japan, as I'm sure you know. Low-paid temp workers can earn as little as 90,000 yen per month. If it sounds ridiculously low, that is because it is ridiculously low. Take 40,000 out for rent, take another 20,000 out for tax and social security payments (because temp staff don't have contributions made by their employers), factor in the costs of eating and commuting for a month, as well as toiletries and other sundries, and there isn't much left to save. I'm not advocating communism, but a living wage and secure working conditions would be a help. You said last week that you helped out the homeless, so I'm sure you already know all of this through your charitable work.

Wow Mayuki, thank for remembering me! If this man worked 40 hours a week as you are trying to claim than this man SHOULD have savings. However, it appears he does not. You are talking about present economic climate. Why was he unable to find FT work? I figure it is because he made a few bad choices a few years ago and couldn't be bothered to go back and fix them. I've seen too many temp staff thinking they are "sticking it" to society by refusing to become FT workers - various reasons but the most I heard was "I don't want to work FT hours and overtime". Hard for me to feel sorry for these folks when I've heard it from so many. If this is not the case than it sucks for him but why does he not have savings?

Honestly, why do you think people think this society is? Communist? It isn't. People need to fend for themselves and maybe that isn't always the best way but what do you expect to be done for these folks? A free mean, a place to stay, extra money for clothing...? If that was the case, I wouldn't bother to look for a FT job either.

nisegaijin and tmarie: You are making the mistake that Japanese very often make; confusing the words "temporary" and "part-time". (And tmarie, as a teacher, you should be very worried by your confusion on this simple matter.)

There is difference between temporary work and part-time work. Temporary work means that a worker is not a permanent employee of an organization; it does not mean that they necessarily work less than 40 hours per week. It is quite likely that this man worked 40 hours per week, and possibly more. Also, temporary staff often receive lodgings with their employment which they must vacate when they finish their contract. Hence, no job and no place to live when it all ends.

Finally, tmarie, there is another reason, besides sickness, which might mean that a person has no other options apart from part-time work - they cannot find a full-time job. This is not unusual in the present economic climate.

Insensitivity? It's called being realistic. There is no reason why some at 31 should have just been working PT unless they were sick or something. As there is no sob story about that I think it is safe to assume that isn't the case here.

With insensitivity like this, it's no wonder why there are homeless people all over.

why is he 31, worked only part time and has no savings? who's fault is it?

No savings? Honestly, no one should be homeless after being out of work for only two weeks. Such a difference in generations. Old Japanese folks have savings like crazy whereas the younger ones just seem to think that they don't need to save.

Why do none of these people have friends? If my friend was cut from a job and tossed out I'd certainly let them stay at mine for a while. I think many folks would. Again, is this a pride thing??

Poor baby! Had two spend nearly two whole weeks as a homeless man!!!!!

Welcome to the real world pikachu.