Citation

Okamoto Y. J. Soc. Iss. 2007; 63(3): 525-542.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1540-4560.2007.00522.x

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This article describes the problem of homelessness in Japan, and contrasts the status of the problem between the United Kingdom and Japan. Demographic characteristics of the homeless, including age and gender, vary across the two countries (for example, there are very few homeless women in Japan). Factors contributing to the development of homelessness in each country are discussed and contrasted. Differences in social welfare systems may be the primary contributor to differences in the apparent rates of homelessness and the conditions that the homeless must endure across the two nations. Housing and homeless policy in Japan are discussed in depth.