Society Number of homeless on a record low

As of January, the homeless population in Japan had decreased by 8.0% compared to the previous year, bringing the total down to 2,820. This is the smallest number recorded since such data collection began in 2003, according to a survey report released by the health ministry on Friday. The ministry attributed this positive trend to the effectiveness of various support initiatives implemented. Of the total number, 2,575 were men, while 172 were women. The gender of 73 individuals could not be determined.

By prefecture, the figure for Osaka was highest, at 856, followed by Tokyo, with 624, and Kanagawa, at 420. Of the national total, the 23 wards of Tokyo and 20 ordinance-designated large cities accounted for some 80%. The survey covered municipalities nationwide, except those in Ishikawa Prefecture, which was hit heavily by a powerful earthquake in January.

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I wonder how reliable these numbers are—a lot of homeless sleep in manga kissaten or even cars:

Definitely undercounted. The question is by how much.