As the sun rises over Japan, millions rise early to head to work. Together, Tokyo and neighboring Nagoya represent the business and manufacturing facets of the country’s economy. Hisaya Kazu, 62, also rises early from his cardboard cocoon to go to work.
By 3 a.m., Kazu is picking up aluminum cans in Sakae Park in Nagoya. He cashes in the aluminum for enough yen to buy his meals for the day.
Like many affluent nations, Japan isn’t quite sure what to do about its homeless population. Local Christian workers familiar with the situation estimate that more than 1,000 of Nagoya’s 2.2 million people are homeless. In Tokyo, with more than 12 million people, more than 4,000 people live under bridges and in parks.
In Japan employment practices are a primary cause of Japanese homelessness, explains Wendy Hoshizaki, a Southern Baptist representative working in Japan. Most Japanese factories and some businesses house their employees in company-owned dormitories, so those who lose their jobs often lose their homes as well.
For most Japanese, unemployment and homelessness are a disgrace to the family’s honor, said Richard Oue, a Southern Baptist representative in Tokyo.
“Many times, if somebody loses their job, they are too embarrassed to go home,” Oue said.
Financial analysts estimate that nearly 1 million Japanese people lost their jobs between 2008 and 2009. After the March 11 tsunami, close to 158,000 people lost their jobs when water destroyed entire villages and the fishing industry along the northeastern coast of Japan, which is 10 hours north of Tokyo. For many, losing their job means a loss of identity.
In the wake of the massive economic downturn, Christian workers note a new spiritual interest among the Japanese. Among the homeless, in particular, a significant number in Tokyo and Nagoya are responding to the gospel.
“[The homeless] are beginning to ask, ‘What is important? What is real? Isn’t there some hope?’” said Mark Hoshizaki, a Southern Baptist representative who works with the homeless in Tokyo.
Still more than 99 percent of Japanese do not know Christ.
Southern Baptists’ gifts to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and the Cooperative Program help Southern Baptist representatives around the world share the gospel. Give to the offering through your local Southern Baptist church or online at imb.org/offering, where there are resources for church leaders to promote the offering. Download related videos at imb.org/entirechurchvideo. (BP)
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