TOKYO (TR) – The number of homeless people nationwide has fallen to the lowest since surveys began more than two decades ago, government data revealed on Monday, reports TV Asahi (Apr. 27).
According to the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the number of homeless people confirmed nationwide as of January this year was 2,481, a decrease of 110 from the year before.
The figure is the lowest since the survey began in 2003.
The survey is conducted visually by municipal staff.
In breaking down the results, men accounted for 2,190, or 90 percent, of the total.
By prefecture, Osaka had the most with 803 people, followed by Tokyo with 507. Kanagawa Prefecture came in third with 391. Ten prefectures, including Iwate, Niigata, and Nagasaki, had no confirmed homeless people.
Regarding living places, roads accounted for the most at 25.7 percent. This surpassed parks for the first time.
The health ministry attributes the decrease to the effectiveness of self-reliance support measures such as providing accommodation and job referrals.
