Homelessness in Japan

"Once famous for its equitable society, Japan is now suffering from a homeless problem so bad that shantytowns are filling nearly all the big parks in cities like Tokyo and Osaka. Part of the problem is the economy: 13 years of slump have pushed up unemployment and bankruptcy rates, driving the poorest onto the streets. The number of homeless people has ballooned to about 25,000, according to a recent government estimate, up from almost none in the late 1980's. Activists say the actual figure is probably several times higher."

Source: The Wall Street Journal, June 18, 2003