Japan is a wealthy country with a fairly equal distribution of wealth (relative to countries such as the United States). In other words, Japan has a large and thriving middle class. In fact, over 90 percent of Japanese people are considered middle class1.
Japan’s reputation as a middle class paradise has led to a persistent myth that homelessness is nonexistent or rare in the country. The fact is that homeless people are commonly found in the parks of large cities such as Tokyo and Osaka. There are an estimated 5000 homeless in Tokyo alone.
