Survey: 80% of Manga/Internet Cafes Have “Residents”
The survey was conducted at 34 cafes in 10 different prefectures through interviews with 85 individual cafe customers. The results of the survey underscore growing concern by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare that increased use of the cafes as a place to stay is a sign of increased poverty. The Ministry is planning to conduct their own investigation of the problem as well.
Of the 34 cafes surveyed, 26 cafes located across all 10 prefectures included have young customers that have been staying there for extended periods of time. Some of the cafes surveyed had more than 10 customers that were in a long term stay. Among those surveyed, there were young people without homes as well as people who are renting an apartment of their own. A considerable amount of those surveyed have been using the cafes as cheap lodging when they are working far from home or on business trips.
The surveys revealed that life at the cafes can be difficult. One unnamed 24-year old-male customer interviewed used to work a low wage job at a TV station but quit when the work became too much to handle. Since quitting, he has been making approximately 200,000 yen (about US$1,800) a month but has been unable to pay the fees required for a new apartment. As a result, he has been living in the Manga/Internet Cafe for 2 years. He says that there are 30 people who are also “living” in the cafe.
It must be really strange after reading this that I wasn’t concerned but thought, “I wish I lived in Japan!”
The thought of people getting away with living in these shops is just…. cool… there is no way this would happen in the United States. Perhaps living in a manga and internet cafe isn’t perfect (you shouldn’t be reading this blog if you think it isn’t) it’s better than living on the streets, which is probably where these people would end up in this country.
But the real purpose of this post is to say, I wish they had these cafes in America… who’s with me?!
Source: AnimeNewsNetwork
Yep, I’m with ya about the whole cyber cafe and manga. I believe there are some in America, but not as prestigious as regular bookstores.