Coronavirus: Thousands made homeless in Tokyo after Japan orders closure of internet cafes

More than 4,000 ‘internet cafe refugees’ reside in Tokyo alone

Thousands of homeless people in Japan are in need of being housed after internet cafes were forced to close due to coronavirus.

Internet cafes have been a common destination for the homeless due to their security and often being open around the clock.

While many also include private booths, showers and entertainment such as games.

But Japan has ordered their closure in an effort to contain the spread of coronavirus.

As of Monday afternoon, Japan has 7,370 cases of Covid-19 and 123 confirmed fatalities, according to Johns Hopkins University.

Japan has a low homeless rate compared to other developing nations, with the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare’s figures last year claiming a total of 4,977 homeless people live in the country.

Though the ministry’s method for collecting data has been criticised with Tokyo-based nonprofit organisation Advocacy and Research Centre for Homelessness claiming the true figure is around two-and-a-half times the official number.

But with more than 4,000 “internet cafe refugees” residing in Tokyo, the country’s capital has begun to offer up hotel rooms and other forms of temporary accommodation to ease the crisis.

Alternative measures have also seen neighbouring Saitama transform a sports hall into a facility able to house 200 people.

The closure of internet cafes in Japan could leave thousands homeless (AFP via Getty)

But despite the government announcing welfare offices are able to designate temporary accommodation for homeless residents, many have reportedly been turned away

Kazuhiro Gokan, a consultant at a support organization for homeless people, told the Nikkei Asian Review: “Many have been turned away as there seems to be a misunderstanding among administrators.”

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe declared last Tuesday that the country was entering a month-long state of emergency to contain coronavirus, running until 6 May.

The measures will apply to Tokyo and six other prefectures: Chiba, Kanagawa, Saitama, Osaka, Hyogo, Fukuoka.

Tokyo’s government announced homeless residents could seek help through support centre Tokyo Challenge Net.

While a previous requirement for people to show a certificate proving they have lived in the capital for more than six months has now been temporarily waived to speed up the process.