Japan's homeless 'net cafe refugees' seek shelter amid COVID-19 woe

Photos

Login / Sign Up

Sunday, November 24, 2024

Gold / Forex

Japan's homeless 'net cafe refugees' seek shelter amid COVID-19 woe

Tokyo Metropolitan Government ordered net cafes to close amid a spike of coronavirus cases

Published: April 15, 2020 10:24 AFP and Compiled by Christian Borbon, Digital Content Editor

1 of 13

Copy of 822868-01-08-1586931482505 — Yokohama, Japan: Thousands of homeless "net cafe refugees" in Japan risk being turfed out onto the streets as the coronavirus pandemic forces the sudden closure of their uniquely Japanese 24/7 comic book havens. | A man sitting on a bed at a shelter provided by Kanagawa prefecture for people who used to stat at designated internet cafes. Image Credit: AFP

2 of 13

Copy of 822882-01-08-1586931485633 — The ubiquitous all-night internet and "manga" comic cafes offer couches, computers, comics, soft drinks and shower facilities for an overnight stay typically priced around 2,000 yen ($18). A man eats before resting at a shelter provided by Kanagawa prefecture. Image Credit: AFP

3 of 13

Copy of 822884-01-08-1586931494557 — An estimated 4,000 people down on their luck make their home in such cafes in Tokyo alone, and activists worry that shutting them down could lead to suicides and a spike in rough sleepers. | A man prepares to rest at a shelter provided by Kanagawa prefecture fro the people who used to stay at designated internet cafés Image Credit: AFP

4 of 13

Copy of 822872-01-08-1586931515841 — Some local authorities are now opening shelters to accommodate "net cafe refugees" and keep them from sleeping out in the open. Image Credit: AFP

5 of 13

Copy of 823122-01-08-1586931503048 — Renting an apartment in Japan requires a very expensive deposit and presents tricky administrative hurdles, leaving net cafes a convenient option for many of the country's hidden poor. Image Credit: AFP

6 of 13

Copy of 822877-01-08-1586931491592 — The temporary shelters at the judo hall in Yokohama, operated by the local Kanagawa authorities, have been designed by a team led by award-winning Japanese architect Shigeru Ban to offer privacy and prevent infections. Image Credit: AFP

7 of 13

Copy of 823119-01-08-1586931500085 — Residents sleep on camp-style cots or cardboard beds partitioned off by a frame of sturdy paper tubes with cloth hanging from the top of the cubicle to the floor. Image Credit: AFP

8 of 13

9 of 13

Copy of 822866-01-08-1586931506321 — The manga cafes were initially a haven for late-working - or late-drinking - business people from far-flung suburbs who missed the last train home, but eventually became a shelter for Japan's working poor. Image Credit: AFP

10 of 13

Copy of 822874-01-08-1586931518842 — The Tokyo Metropolitan Government, which ordered establishments such as net cafes closed amid a spike of coronavirus cases in the capital, is trying to find a solution for the hundreds abruptly made homeless. Image Credit: AFP

11 of 13

Copy of 822870-01-08-1586931512683 — Workers from Voluntary Architects' Network preparing to build a partition with cardboard pillars at a shelter provided by Kanagawa prefecture for people who cant afford to rent an apartment and used to stay at designated internet cafes, which are closed due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak state of emergency, at a judo sport hall in Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture. Image Credit: AFP

12 of 13

Copy of 822876-01-08-1586931488464 — Workers from Voluntary Architects' Network building a partition with cardboard pillars at a shelter. Image Credit: AFP

13 of 13

Copy of 822867-01-08-1586931509512 — Workers from Voluntary Architects' Network building partitions and beds at a shelter. Image Credit: AFP

Latest In

Two new Salik toll gates open to Dubai motorists today

15 minutes ago
Bangladesh culture, heritage showcased at Saudi fest

27 minutes ago
Video: Thousands turn out for record-breaking Dubai Run

33 minutes ago
1,000 houses burned as fire rips through Manila slum

41 minutes ago
Sheikh Hamdan leads record-breaking Dubai Run 2024

54 minutes ago

This website stores cookies on your computer. These cookies are used to improve your experience and provide more personalized service to you. Both on your website and other media. To find out more about the cookies and data we use, please check out our Privacy Policy.

Photos News

Trending