Life in the Park
Caring for the homeless in Japan
Unemployment has hit men over 50 the hardest, but since the Japanese only get a pension after the age of 65, many are left to their own devices. But there is some hope amidst the despair.
In the centre of fast-living urban Japan, the homeless of Sinjuku Park have founded their own society. Here 200 homeless people have built themselves permanent shelters out of tarpaulin and wood. The police and the park-keepers tolerate their presence and simply pretend not to see the little blue houses. Two years ago they decided to take fate into their own hands. Every day they cook for 300 people and keep their homes clean and tidy. A very different view of Japanese pride.
Produced by ORF Fernsehprogramm-Service GmbH & Co KG
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