Letters | Tokyo Olympics: treatment of homeless not in Games spirit
- Hundreds of homeless people in the Japanese capital were served eviction notices before the Olympic Games began
During the Olympic Games, the homeless in Tokyo have faced pressure and disrespect, with the authorities wanting to keep them out of sight as the city hosted this high-profile international event. Those living on the streets were told to move from their usual spots because the city wanted to redevelop and clean up those areas before the international athletes and other Games dignitaries arrived.
Japanese media reports cited a support group to highlight tougher approaches against homeless people since 2013, when Tokyo was named the host city of the 2020 Olympic Games. Parks were locked and lit up at night to discourage the homeless from camping there.
Hundreds of people in central Tokyo were recently given eviction notices even though they had no permanent addresses and nowhere else to go, reports said, with officials mentioning an “Olympic-related event” as a reason for the eviction drive. The final phase of clearing the area of homeless people took place before the opening ceremony on July 23.
This is understandable from the government’s perspective, as officials wish to present a fine picture to visiting athletes and other dignitaries, but it is stressful and depressing for the homeless, to say the least.
Developed countries usually have shelters for the homeless, where they can live while trying to get back on their feet. Although this method may require a lot of money, it is a better approach as it seeks to tackle the problem more comprehensively.
As a developed country, Japan surely has enough wealth in its treasury to implement this approach to homelessness. It would be great if the Japanese government could learn from the experience of other countries on this issue.
It would be helpful if the problem of homelessness could be resolved in less antagonistic ways and if street-sleepers were not just removed from view of foreign visitors.
Leung Hau Man, Tseung Kwan O
