Society Eviction of homeless from Osaka’s Kamagasaki district

thomas · 2 Dec 2024

Today, in the early morning, the Osaka government forcibly evicted homeless people from the Airin General Centre, a historic landmark in the Kamagasaki district. This action, which took place in the morning, sparked outrage and despair among the residents. Many of them were sleeping when the authorities arrived. The Airin Center was a crucial hub for day labourers and the homeless, offering employment services and support. However, it was closed in 2019 for redevelopment. Since then, many people have been living on the streets in the surrounding area. After a legal battle, the government won the right to evict the residents.

The area has had a history of clashes between day laborers and law enforcement, so local authorities took extensive measures to carry out the latest action. Between 1961 and 2008, 24 riots occurred in the Kamagasaki district, resulting in many injuries and arrests. The causes of the clashes varied. Some homeless people were upset at being out of work and took out their frustrations against the government and police, whom they distrusted. In other cases, the day laborers railed against poor working conditions or the perceived arrogance of the work arrangers. The Airin general center was jointly built in 1970 by the central government, the Osaka prefectural and city governments, among others. The purpose of the center was to supervise the open labor market and recruit workers on the streets in response to the "first Nishinari riots" in 1961. The center had a space called "yoseba," where day laborers gathered for work assignments, and a hospital facility that provided free and low-cost medical care. The center has been called a symbol of Kamagasaki in part because it was a place where day laborers interacted with each other. However, the center was found to have problems with earthquake resistance. In 2016, a decision was made to temporarily relocate the center's labor facility, and to ultimately create a new building on the site. The center was closed in 2019.

Homeless people evicted from encampment at Osaka ‘symbol’ | The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis

Here's an insightful article on Osaka's Nishinari area and a detailed explanation of its history, in particular the Nishinari riots:

About the Nishinari Area | Detailed Explanation of History and Overview

Explore the rich history, social issues, and unique charm of Nishinari Ward in Osaka. From day labor markets to drug problems, uncover the complexities of this dynamic district for a meaningful visit.

article.bespes-jt.com

musicisgood · 3 Dec 2024

Homeless people that are drug addicts and alcoholics can easily destroy a beautiful neighborhood of in a short period of time so it's good what they're doing but they should have a backup plan for those that are homeless because they just can't **** them around the city or at least they shouldn't anyway.

thomas · 3 Dec 2024

musicisgood said:
Homeless people that are drug addicts and alcoholics can easily destroy a beautiful neighborhood of in a short period of time so it's good what they're doing but they should have a backup plan for those that are homeless because they just can't **** them around the city or at least they shouldn't anyway.

I'd say that in Japan, most homeless people aren't. They don't beg and prefer to remain inconspicuous and out of sight, collecting cans and selling them as scrap metal. There is a vast graveyard in our neighbourhood, and many of them live in the surrounding forests. They use the local facilities at the cemetery for personal hygiene, and - so one of our local chōnaikai guys told me - they help themselves to the food, snacks, and sake mourners leave at the graves.

I remember that over fifteen years ago, I got lost on my bicycle in the Kansai area of eastern Tokyo and found myself in a homeless village under a massive bridge. The whole place was very well organised; the residents had dogs and other pets, hen coops, and even a TV (I'm not sure how they connected it to the grid). I have always wondered what happened to that settlement.

All of the above is, of course, strictly anecdotal.

Society Eviction of homeless from Osaka’s Kamagasaki district

thomas

Unswerving cyclist

About the Nishinari Area | Detailed Explanation of History and Overview

musicisgood

Sempai

thomas

Unswerving cyclist

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