Free food distribution events for people in poverty are being held across Tokyo ahead of the year-end and New Year holidays. Many people are putting a heavy burden on their household finances due to high prices and low wages. On the 23rd, when the city was decked out in Christmas decorations, support groups held distribution events in Shinjuku and Toshima wards to listen to the voices of users. (Masaki Nakamura, photo also)
◆I don’t have money for food so I only have water and coffee.
“I won’t have any work during the year-end and New Year holidays. I’ll spend the New Year eating boiled tofu.” At a distribution event held in front of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku Ward by the certified NPO Independent Living Support Center Moyai, a 56-year-old man from Suginami Ward sighed as he received apples, tomatoes, and disposable hand warmers.
Lives alone in metropolitan housing. He was able to make ends meet through daily paid jobs such as security work and cooking assistance. In mid-November he hurt his foot and was unable to work for about two weeks. He has unpaid national health insurance and cannot go to the hospital. Out of money and without food, he survived on water and instant coffee while he was out of work.
People receiving bags containing lunch boxes and fruits
I still walk with a limp. I have resumed work, but my anxiety continues. Expenses such as utilities and food have increased by 8,000 to 10,000 yen per month over the past year. “I go to the supermarket every day and look for cheap vegetables and discounted items.I wonder if I’ll die alone living a life like this,” he said with a wry smile.
◆There are people in need even in places you can’t see.
At a park in Ikebukuro, the NPO “TENOHASI” handed out bento boxes, bread, and fruit. The man in line, 44, had been staying at a capsule hotel in Taito Ward for about six months while working as a warehouse organizer for daily wages. He intended to work until the end of the year, but on the 22nd, he was told that this year was over. He has about 20,000 yen. He tweeted, “We can manage until January 3rd, but what should we do after that?I want to survive somehow.”
Person receiving a bag containing bento or fruit (middle)
On the 23rd, 779 people received food, the highest number ever in Moya. In Tenohashi, there were 530 people, 3.2 times the number before the coronavirus outbreak (2019 average).
“We need to remember that there are many people who can’t come here,” said Onishiren, chairman of Tomoyai. “While prices are rising, the amount of benefits such as welfare and pensions has not increased much.The government’s cash transfers to low-income households do not benefit them if their income is even slightly higher than the standard, and they are barely able to maintain their livelihood. are doing”
Tenohashi Executive Director Kenji Seino also pointed out, “The coronavirus pandemic is casting a shadow on many people. There are many people who are in poverty in places that are difficult to see.” He said, “The question is what effective measures the country, government, and aid organizations can take.”
◆Even though the employment situation is improving, it remains high
The number of people using food distribution services in Shinjuku and Ikebukuro, which has increased due to the coronavirus pandemic, continues to remain high even though restrictions on movement were eased in May and there are signs of improvement in the employment situation. At distribution events such as Independent Living Support Center Moyai, the average number of people in April 2020 was about 120, but since May this year, the number has increased to more than 560. Tenohashi also has about 500 to 600 people, compared to the 2019 average of 166 people.
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In “Tokyo Mutual Aid”, we will regularly report on the people who are doing their best to survive in the capital city of Tokyo, the sites of mutual assistance that support them, and the problems of public assistance that is not being provided.
2023-12-26 12:17:28
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