Arab News Japan

TOKYO: On the eve of the new year, around 50 volunteers have set up a tent space in central Tokyo to provide legal advice to people in need.

A network of about 50 unionists and anti-poverty network volunteers and lawyers gathered near the entertainment district of Kabukicho in Shinjuku.

In addition to tents for people seeking the advice of lawyers, a food kit distribution area and a space reserved for women and children where they could discuss matters in privacy and away from the freezing conditions were set up.

Lawyers were helping those who have lost their jobs and are facing difficulties in finding shelter, food, stable employment and financial assistance.

Lawyer Ichiro Natsume from the Labor Lawyers Association of Japan (LLAJ) told Arab News Japan, “Due to the pandemic, many people lost their jobs and homes and people who suffer and are fighting financial hardship can’t get help from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government during the holiday season, so we have decided to organize this event in association with unions and groups of lawyers.” 

A volunteer noted that there are officially 5,000 homeless people in Tokyo, but the very poor are much more numerous. Among the people who come to ask for help are a few foreigners, women and many men over the age of 50.

Two well-known politicians were also present. Social Democratic Party representative Mizuho Fukushima told Arab News Japan that it is important for politicians to realize the situation and for more people to support the organizations who assist citizens who are in great difficulty.

The Japanese Communist Party’s Akira Koike explained that he had come as a doctor and that he wanted to provide medical advice related to COVID-19.

Union leaders said the pandemic is likely to be harder economically than the 2008 economic crisis.