JAPAN
A Life in the Park
Dec 2000 - 0610
00.03
At the heart of Tokyo and its eight million people is Shinyuku, Tokyos liveliest district. This is where the extremes of Japanese society converge. Ancient tradition meets modern consumerist society among the garish neon signs of discount stores, expensive luxury shops, bars and striptease joints.
00.30
The Japanese believe in Shintoism, Buddhism or a combination of different religions. But society is changing, and the Western tradition of exchanging Christmas gifts has caught on, especially in cities.
The yen has become stronger since the economic crisis of 1997, and the Japanese fondness for international products has meant a steady import of Western culture.
01.01
This new government building and a luxury hotel are located in the middle of Shinyukus shopping streets. They were built during the economic boom. But next to them, in Shinyuku Central Park, you can see the effects of the economic crisis three years ago.
200 homeless people have built themselves permanent shelters here made of out of tarpaulin and wood.
01.27
Two years ago the parks homeless decided to take fate into their own hands and organise themselves, with the help of some volunteers. Since then they have been cooking for 300 people a day and keep the area around their homes clean and tidy.
Every morning they make green tea for the homeless in the park and the surrounding area.
01.52
Masaru Matumoto is 61 years old and lives in the park. He used to own several hairdressing salons, but the increase in interest rates in 1997 bankrupted him. He has no children, is divorced and lost everything he owned. He puts up his stand next to the soup kitchen every day and offers his services for free. He has become an indispensible member of the community.
02.19
They cook with restaurant leftovers and food they have bought with donations. The soup in Shinyuku Park is appreciated by 2000 homeless people of the district. Masaaki Tsuda founded the initiative.
Masaaki Tsuda, organiser
02.35 I/V
I saw that the people were hungry, so I started collecting money. Then I made Miso soup and gave people a piece of bread to go with it. Later on we were given professional pots and pans so that we can now cook for 300 people. Its very hard for people to get food, especially in the winter.
03.05
The homeless people queue up right in front of the building where the city elders work. They have already had some green tea and are patiently waiting until the food is ready.
Just before serving, the cooks add noodles to the soup. Today there is a tasty miso soup with fish, vegetables and dumplings on the menu. With typical Japanese decorum, the homeless patiently and courteously await their turn.
03.44
The hungry men queue up again as they eat their first portion, hoping for seconds. Most of them are between 50 and 65. In 1997, unemployment in Japan rose by 5.5% and is almost twice as high among men over 50. The Japanese are only entitled to a pension after the age of 65. Until then they are left to their own devices, and the government programmes only reach a few people.
The authorities are aware of the homeless in the park. The police and the parkkeepers tolerate their presence and simply pretend not to see the little blue houses.
04.27 I/V
There are a lot of office buildings around the park. Any of the business people who work in them could lose their job and end up on the street. Thats why we should help each other - were talking about our own future too. We cant just expect the government to help us. It could happen to anyone.
05.03
After eating, two customers are still waiting for a haircut. Masaru Matumoto has already done 32 free hair cuts today. Sometimes even passers-by pay to use his services.
The dishes are washed in the kitchen for use the following day. Masaru Matumoto packs up his stand and goes home.
Masaru Matumoto, homeless hairdresser
05.30 I/V
If I really worked hard, maybe I could live a normal life. But Im not sure whether I want that. First of all Id have to pay back the loans. These people need me, and Im glad I can live here.
05.58
Deep in the midst of fast-living urban Japan, the homeless of Sinjuku Park have founded their own society. It makes them feel worthwhile to help other homeless people back on to their feet too.
06.06 - end
camera Kazutomo Iwata
edit Erich Lazar
concept - Eva-Maria Berger
A Life in the Park
Dec 2000 - 0610
00.03
At the heart of Tokyo and its eight million people is Shinyuku, Tokyos liveliest district. This is where the extremes of Japanese society converge. Ancient tradition meets modern consumerist society among the garish neon signs of discount stores, expensive luxury shops, bars and striptease joints.
00.30
The Japanese believe in Shintoism, Buddhism or a combination of different religions. But society is changing, and the Western tradition of exchanging Christmas gifts has caught on, especially in cities.
The yen has become stronger since the economic crisis of 1997, and the Japanese fondness for international products has meant a steady import of Western culture.
01.01
This new government building and a luxury hotel are located in the middle of Shinyukus shopping streets. They were built during the economic boom. But next to them, in Shinyuku Central Park, you can see the effects of the economic crisis three years ago.
200 homeless people have built themselves permanent shelters here made of out of tarpaulin and wood.
01.27
Two years ago the parks homeless decided to take fate into their own hands and organise themselves, with the help of some volunteers. Since then they have been cooking for 300 people a day and keep the area around their homes clean and tidy.
Every morning they make green tea for the homeless in the park and the surrounding area.
01.52
Masaru Matumoto is 61 years old and lives in the park. He used to own several hairdressing salons, but the increase in interest rates in 1997 bankrupted him. He has no children, is divorced and lost everything he owned. He puts up his stand next to the soup kitchen every day and offers his services for free. He has become an indispensible member of the community.
02.19
They cook with restaurant leftovers and food they have bought with donations. The soup in Shinyuku Park is appreciated by 2000 homeless people of the district. Masaaki Tsuda founded the initiative.
Masaaki Tsuda, organiser
02.35 I/V
I saw that the people were hungry, so I started collecting money. Then I made Miso soup and gave people a piece of bread to go with it. Later on we were given professional pots and pans so that we can now cook for 300 people. Its very hard for people to get food, especially in the winter.
03.05
The homeless people queue up right in front of the building where the city elders work. They have already had some green tea and are patiently waiting until the food is ready.
Just before serving, the cooks add noodles to the soup. Today there is a tasty miso soup with fish, vegetables and dumplings on the menu. With typical Japanese decorum, the homeless patiently and courteously await their turn.
03.44
The hungry men queue up again as they eat their first portion, hoping for seconds. Most of them are between 50 and 65. In 1997, unemployment in Japan rose by 5.5% and is almost twice as high among men over 50. The Japanese are only entitled to a pension after the age of 65. Until then they are left to their own devices, and the government programmes only reach a few people.
The authorities are aware of the homeless in the park. The police and the parkkeepers tolerate their presence and simply pretend not to see the little blue houses.
04.27 I/V
There are a lot of office buildings around the park. Any of the business people who work in them could lose their job and end up on the street. Thats why we should help each other - were talking about our own future too. We cant just expect the government to help us. It could happen to anyone.
05.03
After eating, two customers are still waiting for a haircut. Masaru Matumoto has already done 32 free hair cuts today. Sometimes even passers-by pay to use his services.
The dishes are washed in the kitchen for use the following day. Masaru Matumoto packs up his stand and goes home.
Masaru Matumoto, homeless hairdresser
05.30 I/V
If I really worked hard, maybe I could live a normal life. But Im not sure whether I want that. First of all Id have to pay back the loans. These people need me, and Im glad I can live here.
05.58
Deep in the midst of fast-living urban Japan, the homeless of Sinjuku Park have founded their own society. It makes them feel worthwhile to help other homeless people back on to their feet too.
06.06 - end
camera Kazutomo Iwata
edit Erich Lazar
concept - Eva-Maria Berger