The number of people living on the streets of Tokyo has increased 1.7-fold in five years to about 5,700 as of August, according to a white paper on the homeless released Friday.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government's estimation was based upon a survey of 1,028 homeless in the city. The metro officials said the paper was the first of its kind compiled by authorities using such a large-scale street survey.
The white paper says that 60 percent of Tokyo's homeless are aged between 50 and 64, and that 98 percent of them are male.
The officials said commonly held views about the character of homeless people, such as their laziness and lack of commitment, were not true as the research showed 80 percent of those interviewed expressed willingness to work.
Of those surveyed, 70 percent answered that they were looking for a job, the paper says.
To tackle the growing number of homeless, the metro government is planning to build facilities designed to help them rehabilitate.
A Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry report estimates that about 20,000 people nationwide live on the street, with Osaka topping the list with some 9,000.
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