[lagichikool]

It may be an under count but probably not by any huge amount. Although there are a much larger number of people that are desperately poor.

Japan has a relatively low cost of living (especially in rural areas), reasonably good social safety net, low drug use, high levels of familial support, and other factors that make it remarkable. It's pretty hard to become homeless.

But even in the US, where all factors are far worse, there is a surprisingly small percentage of the population that is homeless. The absolute numbers are much smaller than most people would guess (even accounting for under counting).

We tend to focus and exaggerate homelessness because it is so visible. Poverty in general is a much bigger and worse problem everywhere.

[Ekaros]

Also even Tokyo has some extremely cheap housing options. They are not great, but at least roof does not leak too much. They might not have full niceties like big kitchens or showers or even bathrooms. But they are very cheap.

The bottom end is much lower than in west in general.

[toomuchtodo]

Doesn’t the birth death ratio in Japan make this easier to solve? Housing is constantly being freed up by deaths, but apparently not conserved by the government or non profit to house those without housing.

[39896880]

They also have massive societal pressure to conform and a ton of 24 hour businesses like internet cafes. It is likely that the definition of homeless being reported here doesn’t capture people who don’t have a stable address but would never come forward to be counted.