- Hardcover: 124 pages
- Publisher: Nova Biomedical (1 Dec 1998)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1560725605
- ISBN-13: 978-1560725602
- Product Dimensions: 25.4 x 17.8 x 0.6 cm
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 4,514,698 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Description
Product Description
Homelessness is a worldwide phenomenon. It has been around for centuries and will, unfortunately, be around for centuries to come. Homelessness affects various types of individuals, some are more vulnerable than others. However, whoever may be affected, the eventuality of homelessness is a daunting thought. Why speak of homelessness in Tokyo today? Japan's homeless were on eof its invisible secrets. They are no longer easy to banish from sight or mind, and the recent murders of two homeless men, one in Osaka and the other in Tokyo, have done little to raise public awareness of plight. The homeless situation is virtually unknown. Even the government does not grasp its magnitude. This book shows a realistic portrait of Japan including a glimpse of what lies in the shadows of success.
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3 reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Author in denial
26 July 2000
Format:Hardcover
I have been involved with the homeless in Tokyo for the last nine years (since 1991), I lived in Sanya (an area in Tokyo the author "writes" about) for seven years (91-98), and I lived on the streets of Tokyo in a cardboard box for 15 months. After 20 minutes of glancing through this "book" I was about ready to toss it across the store because it contained so many stereotypes and inaccuracies. Let me confine it to three main points. 1) The problem and stereotypes: In Tokyo there are around 6,000 homeless. In a city of 12 million that comes to about 1 person per 6,000 people. This is hardly something of a "problem." Furthermore, the pictures of mentally ill peeople he includes in his book are hardly representative of those who are homeless. They make up such a small perentage of this group. The author has fallen into the trap of many young journalists who "stumble" on the "problem" and feel it is their duty to tell the world about how the Japanese ignore this great "sin" using whatever stereotypes at hand. Contrary to the author's stereotype, some people do choose to be homeless. I know, I lived with them. 2) Language. I was puzzled at the author's heavy use of Japanese in the book when he himself does not speak the language. His lack of understanding comes through loud and clear in two specific areas: incorrect translations of words and a misunderstanding of the difference in Japanese between "homeless" and "living on the streets" (rojo seikatsu). The author is not aware that the word "homeless" is a relatively new word in Japanese. Nor is he aware of what rojo seikatsu (living on the streets) means. Contrary to his shallow understanding, most people who live in cardboard boxes do not consider themselves "homeless" but would say that they are either rojo seikatsu sya or nojukusya (shelterless). There are many other Japanese words that cover the English meaning of homeless. Each of these words carries a differnt and powerful meaning. Even a translator would not catch it if they were not aware of the situation. 3) The author came on a Fullbright Scholarship with the intent of fostering greater understanding between Japan and the US. As an American this book is disappointing because it seems to fail so loudly in this area. Instead of understanding why these people are on the streets and why the Japanese appear to ignore the problem, we are lead to some hasty conclusions.
This book confirms my basic belief that if you write something that is plausible people will believe it. And what the author writes does sound believbale. However, as one who has lived the reality for the last nine years, it looks more like he wrote what he expected to find and not what was actually here. And is that not a form of denial?
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Author in denial (cont'd)
29 July 2000
Format:Hardcover
e-mail address Tokyohomeless@aol.com
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Denial in its many forms
24 Sep 2002
Format:Hardcover
Tony wrote this book with the intention of fostering understanding. He lived on the streets and made contact with the population he describes. He was a man who spoke directly and was not afraid to call a spade a spade. His passing was sudden and he will be sorely missed by his friends and by his lovely wife Motoko. This book is currently being used in social psychology classes in the USA. The concept of homelessness in Japan takes a different slant. Whereas in New York city it may occur without the persons choice, in Japan I believe some people may opt out of being in such a rigimented and expensive society and choose to be homeless, but then again faced with the alternative, is this really a choice? A previous reviewer believed that the mentally ill should have been left out of the population described in this book. Any discussion of the homeless must include the subpopulations of drug addicts and yes the mentally ill. You cannot paint an entire population with one brush and not everyone comes to their current situation with the intent of living on the streets. The so called "art" erected in the underpass to the ostentatious city offices was intended to prevent the homeless from building their cardboard shelters. More recently the bad press about the "homelessness problem" has prompted the city govt to create a much publicized and bragged about shelter. A bandaid on the real problem. Yes this speaks to a denial of the government to realize the extent of the problem. The previous reviewer would do much better to criticize the Christian "missionaries" who come to the parks and lead the homeless in song prior to giving out food and other goods.
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