Japan

The Big Issue Japan Foundation is a part of the international “The Big Issue Network,” an international network of street papers. They run various outreach programmes for homeless people across the country through which participants can enjoy and have fun with other people facing similar situations. These activities include football, contemporary dance, music, walking, writing, and others. Their Homeless World Cup team, called Nobushi, has been very active in the humanitarian activities after the big 2011 earthquake in Japan.

Due to expensive housing, many young people live in Japanese internet cafes for weeks, months, or even years, moving from cafe to cafe each night. While this is a cheap alternative to expensive flats in Tokyo or Osaka, it often causes Internet addiction (Japan Talk, 2011).