More than 25,000 are homeless in Japan

The Health, Labor, and Welfare Ministry has said that the number of homeless people in Japan has swelled to more than 25,000.

The ministry's survey of 2,163 homeless people, conducted during the first two months of this year, shows that nearly 40 percent of them were previously full-time workers, and their average age was 55.9 years. Also, about 48 percent said they have health problems.

Asked why they became homeless, 35.6 percent cited the limited job availability, and 32.9 percent said they became homeless after they were fired or after their companies went bankrupt.

The number of homeless people increased by 1,206 from the last survey in 2001. (end)