The typhoon that hit Tokyo on Thursday night/Friday morning definitely deposited a huge amount of water on to the Japanese capital, but for most people, delays or a drenching on the way home were about as bad as things got.
For many of the homeless living along the metropolis’ rivers on the other hand, it was a very different story altogether.
Quickly rising water levels,
and a churning mass of fast-moving muddy water,
meant that the cleverly constructed but structurally suspect dwellings favoured by many of Japan’s homeless had little chance of survival.
Not much remains of this man’s house, and what does is now useless.
And whilst this home fared a bit better, it will have offered little in the way of protection for its inhabitant.
Yet even places built with sturdier stuff couldn’t resist the sheer power of the water.
And although the owner of this particular place was plotting his next move from the safety of the riverbank nearby, how many of the others got on is anybody’s guess.
Jon says
Poor guys.
Tokyology says
Your site is usually full of digs at the supposed inadequacies of Japanese people but it’s reassuring to know that you’re capable of good, honest journalism too. This was a valuable piece of reportage that probably didn’t make it into the mainstream press. Thank you.
shinobi says
at least they still have thier bikes though….
Brandon says
There is a video on eyeVio of a guy being rescued from one of those islands in the middle of the river. Nice video quality.
http://eyevio.jp/channel/searchword_%25E5%258F%25B0%25E9%25A2%25A8/37609?offset=0&maxCounts=20
(disclaimer: my job is related to eyeVio, just thought it’s an interesting video that’s related to this article. ) Thanks!
tobbilla78 says
Your site is usually full of digs at the supposed inadequacies of Japanese