Okinawa Homeless people?

coldnoodles · 08-01-2007, 02:03 PM

Can someone tell me about the Okinawa homeless people here? Do they have assistance for them in Okinawa? Why are they homeless? Well beside's it being so expensive to live here! Is there a shelter place for them?

I have been watching this homeless guy for 2yrs now, outside gate 1 on kadena, turn left go straight, 2nd light on left side he lives there. He use to have a tent but it was full of holes, then he was using a table or something to sleep under. My Japanese friend said not to try and talk to homeless people they beg for me and will keep bothering you. There is something about this old man, he reminds me of someone. I would really like to buy this guy a tent or a cement block to live in or something. But then thats me.

TheNoNamedOne · 08-01-2007, 04:36 PM

I am always curious about homeless people when I see them -- more so here in Japan than anywhere else (Just didn't have any curiosity about them in the U.S.). I can't help but thinking when I see them what events brought them to this life; was it there decision or did things get out of control that lead to this life, and I wonder what kind of events could cause me to be in their place in the future?

I've read some information on them in newspapers, and a lot of homeless people in Okinawa are mainland Japanese who come here for a variety of reasons. Some have failed in their businesses and are ashamed for themselves and don't want former associates or family to see them. Many choose to come to Okinawa because it is pretty warm year round so shelter is not a big issue. It also means less chance for others in their pre-homeless days of recognizing them.

Some of the Okinawan homeless are old stealy boys who never gave up the lifestyle of hussling soldiers when they were young and never integrated back into normal society with a regular job. Left behind.

Some also obviously have mental problems. You can see them muttering to themselves and acting strange.

Many do not have asssistance because Japanese welfare assistance requires a mailing address for benefits to be sent to. There was a big story about this about a year ago. One homeless person was caught trying to use a public park as his mailing address and the government refused to recognize that. He complained then there was no way for him to get assistance. Some civil liberties group took his issue up in court for him and the judge ruled that he could use the park as his address.

After that I think the government appealed the decision and I am not sure how it has ended up. Though, it is an interesting topic, I think.

devine · 08-02-2007, 10:29 PM

Only thing I can suggest is you do what you think is right. If you want to give this man a tent for protection then you do it.
I just arrived to the island so I don't know what they are like. Haven't come across any homeless people myself here. But in the states I have many o times. You just need to do what you think is right and not go over board doing it. Helping someone who will not help themselves is only a waste of your time. But providing shelter is act of kindness. I would stop there. I would not hand everything to a man who does not want to help himself.
I believe that everyone has a chance in life, if they fail then pick yourself up and try again.
My simple wisdom comes from almost experience thankfully when I fell I was able to move back into my parents home with my infant child or else I would been on the streets or a shelter. I picked myself up and started again. Then I met my husband here I am today in Japan.
I understand these people may not have the support I did because of shame and how there culture is. But it only takes a stronger man to fight.
Remember do what you think is right and I am not a person of faith but God will look onto you for the good you have done.
My personal opinion.
Take it as you will.

Quote:

Originally Posted by coldnoodles

Can someone tell me about the Okinawa homeless people here? Do they have assistance for them in Okinawa? Why are they homeless? Well beside's it being so expensive to live here! Is there a shelter place for them?

I have been watching this homeless guy for 2yrs now, outside gate 1 on kadena, turn left go straight, 2nd light on left side he lives there. He use to have a tent but it was full of holes, then he was using a table or something to sleep under. My Japanese friend said not to try and talk to homeless people they beg for me and will keep bothering you. There is something about this old man, he reminds me of someone. I would really like to buy this guy a tent or a cement block to live in or something. But then thats me.

socalheart · 08-02-2007, 11:14 PM

Anyone have info on:

- the guy who sits under the overpass outside Kadena gate 2 in the flowery hat?
- "whassup mutha-fu@&er" Jimmy who hangs out on gate 2 street most nights?

I once heard that some homeless Okinawans have families and homes, but are somewhat mentally "special" and tend to wander. I've also heard that some are actually wealthy landowners with nothing better to do than "play" at being homeless. I don't know what is done for or about the homeless on Okinawa. Honestly, I never thought too much about it.

TheNoNamedOne · 08-02-2007, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by socalheart

Anyone have info on:

- the guy who sits under the overpass outside Kadena gate 2 in the flowery hat?
- "whassup mutha-fu@&er" Jimmy who hangs out on gate 2 street most nights?

Nothing specific to give you, but the flower hat guy sits under a lot of overpasses throughout Okinawa. I think he has a daily route.

The other guy you are referring to has been here for years. I first remember seeing him 20 years ago doing his hussling thing for some change. I think he is a Gate 2 icon.

socalheart · 08-02-2007, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheProsecutor

The other guy you are referring to has been here for years. I first remember seeing him 20 years ago doing his hussling thing for some change. I think he is a Gate 2 icon.

I see him around gate 2 during the day also. I've seen him with a shamisen some nights as well. Those things are expensive! He is entertaining though. Come to think of it, I think I saw him back in those old days too, but it's a vague memory, since we were usually running from the JP.

P_chan · 08-03-2007, 01:15 AM

yeah somehow I think jimmy is faking it. Maybe he really isn't, but if I had a lot of money and nothing better to do then I could see myself acting homeless just to pass time and get some laughs.

coldnoodles · 08-03-2007, 09:40 AM

For the guy who wears the flower hat, he has mental issues, I don't think he is homeless. I have always wanted someone to come with me to (to translate) see if he was in the war. (sorry if I scare you) but what I see is he was in the war, or he was close to it, in the war, or something. Hard to explain.

There is a lady who sits outside gate 2, she lives 2 lights down, left side upstairs.

For the guy at night I think he lives there too, or in that area.

I never give them money, I have always bought them food, bring food to them, but I have to feel and see they are actually homeless. I found my bio dad thru my dreams - he was homeless.

So for the old man outside gate 1 between 2nd and 3rd light on 58, I have never seen him out begging for money. I have seen people drop off grocery bags to him (Y-plates), but then also seen Y-plates throw trash at him. He wears the same clothes everyday, the other day his jeans were there hanging on the fence thing had a big hole in them. He always wears the same blue long jacket/raincoat. Every morning he is out walking up 58, he walks very slow. I wish I knew someone who could translate for me to him, I would like to know why he is living there? Does he have family? I did have a ad in the paper last year asking if anyone knew him, but I never got a response. There is something about him.

Bones · 08-03-2007, 10:32 AM

I always enjoy reading about what happens on Okinawa, but this thread brought a smile to my face. The guy with the flowers on his head, Kinjo-san, man we used to see him at different times all over the island. Naha, Tomigosuko, Nago, so I would imagine that he has a regular route that he travels.

I think Japan Update did a story on him while we were there the last time, or maybe it was the base paper, or even S&S. If I remember correctly he used to be a very wealthy man. He took a turn for the worse when his son was killed in an accident, and started to behave strangely. But he's harmless, and you'll often find him cleaning up the area around where he happens to park his little scooter at.

Figured that he would have been gone by now, but glad for the heads-up.

NBTP

coldnoodles · 08-04-2007, 09:32 AM

Saw this while doing search on homeless people:

Homeless woman detained for swindling friend out of ¥4 million
Date Posted: 2002-02-21

Urasoe City Police on Feb. 14 arrested a 59-year-old unemployed woman with no fixed address on charges of bilking an acquaintance out of ¥4 million. The suspect, who was the former assistant of a prefectural police section chief, reportedly denied the allegation, claiming that she had had no intention of deceiving the person and was planning to pay the money back. According to the police investigation, the suspect allegedly visited her acquaintance and lied that she needed ¥4 million for her daughter who was said to be studying abroad, claiming that she would return the money one week later. No evidence has been uncovered to indicate that her daughter is studying overseas, nor was a deposit for the funds found in her bank account. Police located the suspect at a supermarket and arrested her. She had no money with her at the time of the arrest.

08-01-2007, 02:03 PM	#1
coldnoodles Ban Cannon GO!!! Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 318 My Mood: Thanks: 11 Thanked 9 Times in 8 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 1 Time in 1 Post Credits: -10,337	Okinawa Homeless people? Can someone tell me about the Okinawa homeless people here? Do they have assistance for them in Okinawa? Why are they homeless? Well beside's it being so expensive to live here! Is there a shelter place for them? I have been watching this homeless guy for 2yrs now, outside gate 1 on kadena, turn left go straight, 2nd light on left side he lives there. He use to have a tent but it was full of holes, then he was using a table or something to sleep under. My Japanese friend said not to try and talk to homeless people they beg for me and will keep bothering you. There is something about this old man, he reminds me of someone. I would really like to buy this guy a tent or a cement block to live in or something. But then thats me.

08-03-2007, 01:15 AM	#7
P_chan アホ Join Date: May 2007 Location: The land of incest and wannabe Amish people! Posts: 15,686 My Mood: Thanks: 8,592 Thanked 6,215 Times in 3,926 Posts Groans: 1,017 Groaned at 882 Times in 772 Posts Credits: 1,663,815,248	yeah somehow I think jimmy is faking it. Maybe he really isn't, but if I had a lot of money and nothing better to do then I could see myself acting homeless just to pass time and get some laughs. __________________

08-03-2007, 10:32 AM	#9
Bones Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Okinawa Posts: 2,672 My Mood: Thanks: 965 Thanked 834 Times in 541 Posts Groans: 103 Groaned at 203 Times in 143 Posts Credits: 1,264,246	I always enjoy reading about what happens on Okinawa, but this thread brought a smile to my face. The guy with the flowers on his head, Kinjo-san, man we used to see him at different times all over the island. Naha, Tomigosuko, Nago, so I would imagine that he has a regular route that he travels. I think Japan Update did a story on him while we were there the last time, or maybe it was the base paper, or even S&S. If I remember correctly he used to be a very wealthy man. He took a turn for the worse when his son was killed in an accident, and started to behave strangely. But he's harmless, and you'll often find him cleaning up the area around where he happens to park his little scooter at. Figured that he would have been gone by now, but glad for the heads-up. NBTP __________________ Can you Void for me?

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08-01-2007, 04:36 PM	#2
TheNoNamedOne Ban Cannon GO!!! Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 7,466 Thanks: 0 Thanked 464 Times in 297 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 76 Times in 74 Posts Credits: -389	I am always curious about homeless people when I see them -- more so here in Japan than anywhere else (Just didn't have any curiosity about them in the U.S.). I can't help but thinking when I see them what events brought them to this life; was it there decision or did things get out of control that lead to this life, and I wonder what kind of events could cause me to be in their place in the future? I've read some information on them in newspapers, and a lot of homeless people in Okinawa are mainland Japanese who come here for a variety of reasons. Some have failed in their businesses and are ashamed for themselves and don't want former associates or family to see them. Many choose to come to Okinawa because it is pretty warm year round so shelter is not a big issue. It also means less chance for others in their pre-homeless days of recognizing them. Some of the Okinawan homeless are old stealy boys who never gave up the lifestyle of hussling soldiers when they were young and never integrated back into normal society with a regular job. Left behind. Some also obviously have mental problems. You can see them muttering to themselves and acting strange. Many do not have asssistance because Japanese welfare assistance requires a mailing address for benefits to be sent to. There was a big story about this about a year ago. One homeless person was caught trying to use a public park as his mailing address and the government refused to recognize that. He complained then there was no way for him to get assistance. Some civil liberties group took his issue up in court for him and the judge ruled that he could use the park as his address. After that I think the government appealed the decision and I am not sure how it has ended up. Though, it is an interesting topic, I think.

08-02-2007, 11:14 PM	#4
socalheart all about the cheese Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Uruma-shi, Okinawa Posts: 5,398 My Mood: Thanks: 3,518 Thanked 1,889 Times in 1,200 Posts Groans: 46 Groaned at 141 Times in 124 Posts Credits: 1,301,091,317	Anyone have info on: - the guy who sits under the overpass outside Kadena gate 2 in the flowery hat? - "whassup mutha-fu@&er" Jimmy who hangs out on gate 2 street most nights? I once heard that some homeless Okinawans have families and homes, but are somewhat mentally "special" and tend to wander. I've also heard that some are actually wealthy landowners with nothing better to do than "play" at being homeless. I don't know what is done for or about the homeless on Okinawa. Honestly, I never thought too much about it.

08-03-2007, 09:40 AM	#8
coldnoodles Ban Cannon GO!!! Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 318 My Mood: Thanks: 11 Thanked 9 Times in 8 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 1 Time in 1 Post Credits: -10,337	For the guy who wears the flower hat, he has mental issues, I don't think he is homeless. I have always wanted someone to come with me to (to translate) see if he was in the war. (sorry if I scare you) but what I see is he was in the war, or he was close to it, in the war, or something. Hard to explain. There is a lady who sits outside gate 2, she lives 2 lights down, left side upstairs. For the guy at night I think he lives there too, or in that area. I never give them money, I have always bought them food, bring food to them, but I have to feel and see they are actually homeless. I found my bio dad thru my dreams - he was homeless. So for the old man outside gate 1 between 2nd and 3rd light on 58, I have never seen him out begging for money. I have seen people drop off grocery bags to him (Y-plates), but then also seen Y-plates throw trash at him. He wears the same clothes everyday, the other day his jeans were there hanging on the fence thing had a big hole in them. He always wears the same blue long jacket/raincoat. Every morning he is out walking up 58, he walks very slow. I wish I knew someone who could translate for me to him, I would like to know why he is living there? Does he have family? I did have a ad in the paper last year asking if anyone knew him, but I never got a response. There is something about him.

08-04-2007, 09:32 AM	#10
coldnoodles Ban Cannon GO!!! Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 318 My Mood: Thanks: 11 Thanked 9 Times in 8 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 1 Time in 1 Post Credits: -10,337	Saw this while doing search on homeless people: Homeless woman detained for swindling friend out of ¥4 million Date Posted: 2002-02-21 Urasoe City Police on Feb. 14 arrested a 59-year-old unemployed woman with no fixed address on charges of bilking an acquaintance out of ¥4 million. The suspect, who was the former assistant of a prefectural police section chief, reportedly denied the allegation, claiming that she had had no intention of deceiving the person and was planning to pay the money back. According to the police investigation, the suspect allegedly visited her acquaintance and lied that she needed ¥4 million for her daughter who was said to be studying abroad, claiming that she would return the money one week later. No evidence has been uncovered to indicate that her daughter is studying overseas, nor was a deposit for the funds found in her bank account. Police located the suspect at a supermarket and arrested her. She had no money with her at the time of the arrest.

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