That is just so sad. Worse, in some ways, is that it’s one of the most location generic photos I’ve seen on this blog. By this, I don’t mean to fault Lee’s photography. Rather, what I mean is that the problems shown in this photo (homelessness, poverty even if one is not jobless, etc.) are to be found in more parts of the world than really should be the case.
That’s a very good point. I hadn’t really though about that aspect of it. But yes, it’s a problem that exists in far too many places, and on far too big a scale. Japan has its economic problems of course, but there is absolutely no excuse whatsoever for lots of people having to live like this.
It really is sad. A daily existence that is just impossible to comprehend. And yeah, good call, the lack of Japanese and the use of English does mean it could have been take in any number of cities.
The coincidences and scares of todays first coffee time.
I had two things to do before work. Order myself a new pair of Skechers (my footwear of choice for quite a few years now), and check your Friday post.
Grim as it is to see the poor guy – and I did like the reference to our increasingly 24/7 lives – I still decided to let my coffee cool whilst trying to find the exact location. And would you believe it it is two doors down from a massive Skechers shop! The guy is also just – and I mean just – under the gaze of Godzilla waay down the street.
On my search I was also given a fright by this scene in a nearish shop window. https://www.instagram.com/p/CTWg0hrs0jn
Well, I’m awake now. And my shoes are on order. And as is so often after viewing your photographs, in a reflective mood regarding how fortunate and privileged I am.
Homelessness is a 24/7 kinda thing. And also worldwide. There are thousands of them here in the SF Bay Area where I live. Seems as if no matter what the government tries to do it continues to get worse. ‘Sad’ doesn’t begin to describe how tough it is!
It really is. It’s probably fair to say that Japan has a smaller homeless population than the US and my native Britain, but that doesn’t make any difference. Still a lot of people on the streets. A lot of people who simply shouldn’t be. All that money, and yet all that poverty…
YTSL says
That is just so sad. Worse, in some ways, is that it’s one of the most location generic photos I’ve seen on this blog. By this, I don’t mean to fault Lee’s photography. Rather, what I mean is that the problems shown in this photo (homelessness, poverty even if one is not jobless, etc.) are to be found in more parts of the world than really should be the case.
Lee says
That’s a very good point. I hadn’t really though about that aspect of it. But yes, it’s a problem that exists in far too many places, and on far too big a scale. Japan has its economic problems of course, but there is absolutely no excuse whatsoever for lots of people having to live like this.
Günter says
So sad. I think the English makes it a ‘global’ photograph not a Tokyo one.
Lee says
It really is sad. A daily existence that is just impossible to comprehend. And yeah, good call, the lack of Japanese and the use of English does mean it could have been take in any number of cities.
cdilla says
The coincidences and scares of todays first coffee time.
I had two things to do before work. Order myself a new pair of Skechers (my footwear of choice for quite a few years now), and check your Friday post.
Grim as it is to see the poor guy – and I did like the reference to our increasingly 24/7 lives – I still decided to let my coffee cool whilst trying to find the exact location. And would you believe it it is two doors down from a massive Skechers shop! The guy is also just – and I mean just – under the gaze of Godzilla waay down the street.
On my search I was also given a fright by this scene in a nearish shop window.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CTWg0hrs0jn
Well, I’m awake now. And my shoes are on order. And as is so often after viewing your photographs, in a reflective mood regarding how fortunate and privileged I am.
Lee says
Cheers. That little 24-7 was the added extra I felt the photo needed. Especially so with the pizza sweatshirt.
Such coincidences are great, aren’t they? Perhaps not so great on the other hand would have been bumping into those two characters…
Richard says
Homelessness is a 24/7 kinda thing. And also worldwide. There are thousands of them here in the SF Bay Area where I live. Seems as if no matter what the government tries to do it continues to get worse. ‘Sad’ doesn’t begin to describe how tough it is!
Lee says
It really is. It’s probably fair to say that Japan has a smaller homeless population than the US and my native Britain, but that doesn’t make any difference. Still a lot of people on the streets. A lot of people who simply shouldn’t be. All that money, and yet all that poverty…