Japan's aging homeless face perilous summers.
Eighty-two-year-old Ito, homeless in Tokyo, navigates extreme summer heat by finding cool spaces while facing numerous safety risks.
Ito, an 82-year-old homeless man in Tokyo, plans his day around the extreme heat. “I have breakfast near the aircon, lunch by the Metropolitan Government Building, and dinner with my friend,” he shares. He became homeless eight years ago after losing his job and housing. With summer temperatures hitting dangerous highs, the elderly homeless face severe risks. Since the Japan Meteorological Agency introduced “kokushobi,” or "cruelly hot days," the struggle for survival has become even more daunting.
Despite warnings to stay inside, many like Ito and fellow homeless individuals lack access to cool shelters. Professor Hiroshi Goto emphasizes that those in disadvantaged positions suffer disproportionately. Even when shelters are available, stigma prevents many from using them. As heat increases, so does the demand for food and shelter. Volunteer groups like Tokyo Spring Homeless Patrol step in, but the need continues to rise. Ultimately, the cycle of homelessness is tough to break, and many feel lost in a system that often overlooks their plight.
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