Living in an internet cafe in NYC's Chinatown
Check out these incredibly heartbreaking images from photographer Niko Koppel for The New York Times on an article about people living in internet cafes in New York City's Chinatown. Apparently the economic hardships that some Japanese and Hong Kong residents are facing are happening behind the shadows in NYC. Next time I go back Eldridge Street I'll take a closer look.
Low-income workers in Japan are living in internet cafés
What a truly sad report on a particular subset of individuals in Japan. This short documentary by Shiho Fukada follows several Japanese citizens who are in the lower portion of the part-time working class. In Japanese society, if you aren't a salaried employee, the chances that you'll be able to afford a stable living environment and make a decent living is nearly impossible. This has caused an influx of people living in Japanese internet cafes that are no bigger than a small NYC closet. Seriously, there's really only room for a computer and a few pillows with barely enough room to stretch out.
Most of what I hear about Japan is usually cheery and bright, but this report on their working conditions is one video that has finally made me reconsider going there to live. I don't think I could deal with the stress of such a hardcore working environment.