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'Net Cafe Refugees' Thrown Out on Japan Streets

Published April 16th, 2020 - 05:44 GMT

Thousands of homeless "net cafe refugees" in Japan risk being turfed out onto the streets as the coronavirus pandemic forces the sudden closure of their uniquely Japanese 24/7 comic book havens.

The ubiquitous all-night internet and "manga" comic cafes offer couches, computers, comics, soft drinks and shower facilities for an overnight stay typically priced around 2,000 yen ($18), according to AFP.

An estimated 4,000 people down on their luck make their home in such cafes in Tokyo alone, and activists worry that shutting them down could lead to suicides and a spike in rough sleepers.

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Katsuya Asao, 54, prepares to rest at a shelter provided by Kanagawa prefecture for the people who can’t afford to rent an apartment and used to stay at designated internet cafes, which are closed due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak state of emergency, at a Judo sport hall in Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture on April 13, 2020. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP

Katsuya Asao, 54, prepares to rest at a shelter provided by Kanagawa prefecture for the people who can’t afford to rent an apartment and used to stay at designated internet cafes, which are closed due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak state of emergency, at a Judo sport hall in Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture on April 13, 2020. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP

Thousands of "net cafe refugees" in Japan risk being turfed out onto the streets as the coronavirus pandemic forces the sudden closure of their uniquely Japanese 24/7 comic book havens. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP

Thousands of "net cafe refugees" in Japan risk being turfed out onto the streets as the coronavirus pandemic forces the sudden closure of their uniquely Japanese 24/7 comic book havens. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP

This photo taken on April 14, 2020 shows workers from Voluntary Architects' Network building partitions and beds at a shelter provided by Kanagawa prefecture for people who can’t afford to rent an apartment and used to stay at designated internet cafes, which are closed due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak state of emergency, at a judo sport hall in Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP

This photo taken on April 14, 2020 shows workers from Voluntary Architects' Network building partitions and beds at a shelter provided by Kanagawa prefecture for people who can’t afford to rent an apartment and used to stay at designated internet cafes, which are closed due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak state of emergency, at a judo sport hall in Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP

Thousands of "net cafe refugees" in Japan risk being turfed out onto the streets as the coronavirus pandemic forces the sudden closure of their uniquely Japanese 24/7 comic book havens. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP

Thousands of "net cafe refugees" in Japan risk being turfed out onto the streets as the coronavirus pandemic forces the sudden closure of their uniquely Japanese 24/7 comic book havens. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP

This photo taken on April 14, 2020 shows workers from Voluntary Architects' Network preparing to build a partition with cardboard pillars at a shelter provided by Kanagawa prefecture for people who can’t afford to rent an apartment and used to stay at designated internet cafes, which are closed due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak state of emergency, at a judo sport hall in Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP

This photo taken on April 14, 2020 shows workers from Voluntary Architects' Network preparing to build a partition with cardboard pillars at a shelter provided by Kanagawa prefecture for people who can’t afford to rent an apartment and used to stay at designated internet cafes, which are closed due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak state of emergency, at a judo sport hall in Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP

This photo taken on April 14, 2020 shows Japanese architect Shigeru Ban posing for a photo at the shelter he and his team devised which hosts people who can’t afford to rent an apartment and used to stay at designated internet cafes, now closed due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak state of emergency, at a judo sport hall in Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture.CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP

This photo taken on April 14, 2020 shows Japanese architect Shigeru Ban posing for a photo at the shelter he and his team devised which hosts people who can’t afford to rent an apartment and used to stay at designated internet cafes, now closed due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak state of emergency, at a judo sport hall in Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture.CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP

Katsuya Asao, 54, eats before resting at a shelter provided by Kanagawa prefecture for the people, who can’t afford to rent an apartment and used to stay at designated internet cafes, which are closed due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak state of emergency, at a Judo sport hall in Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture on April 13, 2020. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP

Katsuya Asao, 54, eats before resting at a shelter provided by Kanagawa prefecture for the people, who can’t afford to rent an apartment and used to stay at designated internet cafes, which are closed due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak state of emergency, at a Judo sport hall in Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture on April 13, 2020. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP

Thousands of "net cafe refugees" in Japan risk being turfed out onto the streets as the coronavirus pandemic forces the sudden closure of their uniquely Japanese 24/7 comic book havens. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP

Thousands of "net cafe refugees" in Japan risk being turfed out onto the streets as the coronavirus pandemic forces the sudden closure of their uniquely Japanese 24/7 comic book havens. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP

Katsuya Asao, 54, prepares to rest at a shelter provided by Kanagawa prefecture for the people who can’t afford to rent an apartment and used to stay at designated internet cafes, which are closed due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak state of emergency, at a Judo sport hall in Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture on April 13, 2020. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP
Thousands of "net cafe refugees" in Japan risk being turfed out onto the streets as the coronavirus pandemic forces the sudden closure of their uniquely Japanese 24/7 comic book havens. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP
This photo taken on April 14, 2020 shows workers from Voluntary Architects' Network building partitions and beds at a shelter provided by Kanagawa prefecture for people who can’t afford to rent an apartment and used to stay at designated internet cafes, which are closed due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak state of emergency, at a judo sport hall in Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP
Thousands of "net cafe refugees" in Japan risk being turfed out onto the streets as the coronavirus pandemic forces the sudden closure of their uniquely Japanese 24/7 comic book havens. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP
This photo taken on April 14, 2020 shows workers from Voluntary Architects' Network preparing to build a partition with cardboard pillars at a shelter provided by Kanagawa prefecture for people who can’t afford to rent an apartment and used to stay at designated internet cafes, which are closed due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak state of emergency, at a judo sport hall in Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP
This photo taken on April 14, 2020 shows Japanese architect Shigeru Ban posing for a photo at the shelter he and his team devised which hosts people who can’t afford to rent an apartment and used to stay at designated internet cafes, now closed due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak state of emergency, at a judo sport hall in Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture.CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP
Katsuya Asao, 54, eats before resting at a shelter provided by Kanagawa prefecture for the people, who can’t afford to rent an apartment and used to stay at designated internet cafes, which are closed due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak state of emergency, at a Judo sport hall in Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture on April 13, 2020. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP
Thousands of "net cafe refugees" in Japan risk being turfed out onto the streets as the coronavirus pandemic forces the sudden closure of their uniquely Japanese 24/7 comic book havens. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP
Katsuya Asao, 54, prepares to rest at a shelter provided by Kanagawa prefecture for the people who can’t afford to rent an apartment and used to stay at designated internet cafes, which are closed due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak state of emergency, at a Judo sport hall in Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture on April 13, 2020. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP
Katsuya Asao, 54, prepares to rest at a shelter provided by Kanagawa prefecture for the people who can’t afford to rent an apartment and used to stay at designated internet cafes, which are closed due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak state of emergency, at a Judo sport hall in Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture on April 13, 2020. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP
Thousands of "net cafe refugees" in Japan risk being turfed out onto the streets as the coronavirus pandemic forces the sudden closure of their uniquely Japanese 24/7 comic book havens. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP
Thousands of "net cafe refugees" in Japan risk being turfed out onto the streets as the coronavirus pandemic forces the sudden closure of their uniquely Japanese 24/7 comic book havens. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP
This photo taken on April 14, 2020 shows workers from Voluntary Architects' Network building partitions and beds at a shelter provided by Kanagawa prefecture for people who can’t afford to rent an apartment and used to stay at designated internet cafes, which are closed due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak state of emergency, at a judo sport hall in Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP
This photo taken on April 14, 2020 shows workers from Voluntary Architects' Network building partitions and beds at a shelter provided by Kanagawa prefecture for people who can’t afford to rent an apartment and used to stay at designated internet cafes, which are closed due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak state of emergency, at a judo sport hall in Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP
Thousands of "net cafe refugees" in Japan risk being turfed out onto the streets as the coronavirus pandemic forces the sudden closure of their uniquely Japanese 24/7 comic book havens. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP
Thousands of "net cafe refugees" in Japan risk being turfed out onto the streets as the coronavirus pandemic forces the sudden closure of their uniquely Japanese 24/7 comic book havens. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP
This photo taken on April 14, 2020 shows workers from Voluntary Architects' Network preparing to build a partition with cardboard pillars at a shelter provided by Kanagawa prefecture for people who can’t afford to rent an apartment and used to stay at designated internet cafes, which are closed due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak state of emergency, at a judo sport hall in Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP
This photo taken on April 14, 2020 shows workers from Voluntary Architects' Network preparing to build a partition with cardboard pillars at a shelter provided by Kanagawa prefecture for people who can’t afford to rent an apartment and used to stay at designated internet cafes, which are closed due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak state of emergency, at a judo sport hall in Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP
This photo taken on April 14, 2020 shows Japanese architect Shigeru Ban posing for a photo at the shelter he and his team devised which hosts people who can’t afford to rent an apartment and used to stay at designated internet cafes, now closed due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak state of emergency, at a judo sport hall in Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture.CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP
This photo taken on April 14, 2020 shows Japanese architect Shigeru Ban posing for a photo at the shelter he and his team devised which hosts people who can’t afford to rent an apartment and used to stay at designated internet cafes, now closed due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak state of emergency, at a judo sport hall in Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture.CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP
Katsuya Asao, 54, eats before resting at a shelter provided by Kanagawa prefecture for the people, who can’t afford to rent an apartment and used to stay at designated internet cafes, which are closed due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak state of emergency, at a Judo sport hall in Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture on April 13, 2020. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP
Katsuya Asao, 54, eats before resting at a shelter provided by Kanagawa prefecture for the people, who can’t afford to rent an apartment and used to stay at designated internet cafes, which are closed due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak state of emergency, at a Judo sport hall in Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture on April 13, 2020. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP
Thousands of "net cafe refugees" in Japan risk being turfed out onto the streets as the coronavirus pandemic forces the sudden closure of their uniquely Japanese 24/7 comic book havens. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP
Thousands of "net cafe refugees" in Japan risk being turfed out onto the streets as the coronavirus pandemic forces the sudden closure of their uniquely Japanese 24/7 comic book havens. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP

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