Elementary and junior high schools in Sumida Ward, Tokyo, have embarked on a new program to address a jump in violence against homeless people in the area.
One of the sessions took place July 10 at Hikifune Elementary School, where two homeless men who introduced themselves as Kato, 74, and Koyama, 66, talked about their lives and experiences in front of an audience of about 60 sixth-graders.
They were assisted by Koichiro Mukai, 42, of the Sanya Welfare Center for Day-Laborers' Association, which helps the men and other homeless people in the area.