Anyone who has lived in a major city knows of its problems. Homelessness is something we all see but we really don't know how to react to it personally. What can we do to help?
One option is really simple - purchase 'The Big Issue' magazine whenever you see it being sold. This magazine is unique as it is only sold on the street by homeless people.
I don't know the statistics for Tokyo, but 'The Big Issue' website states that 80% of the homeless in Osaka actually work. In many cases, these individuals are not able to work enough, or their pay is too low, to get off the street permanently. Many are under-skilled older men with health problems who can no longer work in the construction industry.
I once read that you can judge a country by its homeless. If you believe this assumption, Japan is truly an honorable nation. My husband and I have tried to give money to homeless here in Japan, and not once was the money taken. We have only been able to give already purchased food. I think it was more dishonorable to turn down something obviously purchased for the individual, than to accept it. I have walked, by myself, in areas of
Shitamachi that were full of homeless men. No one has ever bothered me, in fact I often receive smiles and an occasional '
konnichi wa' or '
kirei des ne'. Of course I wouldn't do this at night, but I try not to walk around at night by myself period. My point is, most homeless are just regular people who have made bad choices and/or had a lot of misfortune in their lives.
The company that puts together 'The Big Issue' is trying to address the problem by offering the homeless an opportunity to earn income working as magazine vendors. Vendors purchase the magazine for 90 yen, and sell it for 200. The 110 yen per issue is profit. If a vendor can sell 500 a month, they can earn up to 50,000 yen, enough to cover very basic
accommodations.
Each vendors must sign a 'code of conduct' and go through a training program. In the program, '3 steps toward self-sustainability' are stressed so that participants have a model to guide them, and goals to reach for. Being a 'Big Issue' vendor is not meant to be a long term job, just a way of reaching something better.
The magazine itself targets readers in their 20's and 30's with articles on social conditions, alternative arts, international stories,... Of course, the issue is completely in Japanese. I can't read it, but that doesn't mean that my friends can't. I always buy about 5 issues, and I give them to 5 different Japanese people. I encourage each of them to buy their own issues whenever they can. Most Japanese are happy to help, they are unaware that the magazine even exists. My husband says the articles are actually pretty good, especially the ones written by the homeless themselves.
When I purchase the magazine, I make it a habit to try and make smalltalk. The vendors are usually a little puzzled when I first approach them. I always ask, in Japanese, 'how much is it?'. They tell me and I say that I want 5 copies. Another puzzled look. I then explain that I like to use the magazines in my classroom. I no longer teach, but I did actually use a couple of issues in the past. One man was really happy to hear that the magazine was used to educate. After that, they smile, ask me a question or two, and I leave.
I think interaction with the general public is one of the most important aspects of being a vendor. So many homeless feel invisible, or they are outsiders who don't belong. The more opportunities they have to mix and feel a part of a wider community, the better chance they have of success.
I write this article with the hope that others will purchase the magazine and spread word of its existence. Of course it is not a great solution for homelessness, but even seemingly small things can sometimes make a big difference.
The Grutt pass is definitely Tokyo's best bargain. 'Guruto' means to 'go around', and for only 2000 yen, the purchaser is given a passbook full of coupons good for free entrance to over 40 Tokyo museums/zoos/aquariums,...
