Human Initiative Brings Joy to the Homeless in Japan
Behind Japan’s economic success, there is a lesser-known reality — the lives of the homeless. Although the number is relatively small compared to other developed countries, homeless people in Japan still face serious challenges, including limited access to shelter, social services, and the stigma from society.
One of Human Initiative (HI) Japan’s Ramadan programs is to share care packages with the homeless in Japan. This activity is done in collaboration with various Muslim organizations and reaches homeless individuals in places like Shinjuku, Tokyo.
According to Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, the number of homeless people has been decreasing over the past decade. In 2024, there were fewer than 3,500 homeless individuals across Japan, mostly concentrated in big cities such as Tokyo (especially Shinjuku and Ueno), Osaka, and Yokohama. The high cost of living and expensive housing are among the main reasons behind homelessness in Japan.
As a registered humanitarian organization in Japan, HI Japan helps share the blessings of Ramadan by giving out food, hygiene kits, body warmers (kairo), and other essentials.
You can join the movement and Saling Menguatkan (strengthen each other) by supporting HI Japan through human-initiative.jp — spreading kindness and bringing joy to those in need.
