Homelessness in Japan is virtually ignored and tolerated. Even the police tend to leave the homeless alone. There is a serious problem in Japanese work culture, which pretty much makes it impossible for men over 40 to get jobs. So, most of the homeless are men over 40. Generally, they are considered polite and quiet. The images below were taken in Shibuya, Tokyo. The Japanese people I was with, spoke freely with the men and there was no problem for me to take photos. You’ll see little shelters they’ve built and even little areas with knick knacks that people usually have in actual homes. There was a real sense of community and safety there. The smallest of apartments in Tokyo cost over $1000 usd and these men simply can’t afford the rent nor the key deposits. This is their last resort:

3aug14. Tokyo, Japan.