Authorities Close Shibuya’s Mitake Park to Unhoused, Sparking Outcry

Japan’s unhoused problems may pale in comparison to those in the U.S., but it’s not as “hidden” a problem as many think. Take the recent displacement of an unhoused camp in Shibuya’s Mitake Park, currently undergoing redevelopment.

On October 25, workers and security guards set up temporary fencing and blocked off access to the park’s restrooms, alarming the park’s residents. The ward advised the unhoused people living in the park to move their belongings at the beginning of October, but no warning was given about restricted access [1]. The ward’s park manager said they decided that very day to close the park and therefore couldn’t give advance notice to the unhoused [2].

It’s unclear how many unhoused people the closure affected. At least three were directed to a nearby shelter, while another remained at the park because they had too many belongings to move [2].

Authorities then closed Mitake Park with an unverified number of unhoused persons still inside, who were reportedly unable to access water or the bathroom facilities. Authorities also prohibited entry to unhoused support groups like Nojiren, a Shibuya-based soup kitchen feeding the local unhoused population.

News of the park’s closure quickly hit social media and protesters showed up in no time to decry the park’s closure. Even Yamamoto Taro, founder of the left-leaning political party Reiwa Shinsengumi, appeared with food and supplies and demanded to speak to ward officials. While it seems the situation is far from resolved, Nojiren tweeted that partial access to the park had been granted, and they’ll be allowed to set up their kitchen over the weekend [3].

Japan’s Unhoused Problem Getting Worse?

This isn’t the first time park redevelopment has displaced an unhoused population. Construction of a huge shopping complex in Shibuya’s Miyashita Park, completed in 2020, had been mired in controversy for over a decade. Tents and park dwellers were forcibly removed in 2010 amid rumors Nike Japan would purchase the park’s naming rights.

Campers and supporters filed a lawsuit claiming the eviction was illegal. The Tokyo court ultimately ruled the eviction legal in 2015 but did order Shibuya Ward to pay damages to one camper removed with “excessive force” [4].

The government has conducted visual surveys of unhoused persons since 2003. Their most recent survey tallied an all-new low of 3,448 unhoused people [5], clustered mostly in parks. However, groups like the Advocacy and Research Centre for Homelessness (ARCH) have rebutted the government’s methodology, using Tokyo as an example.

While the government carries out its surveys during the day, ARCH volunteers hit the streets at night when unhoused people tend to set up their temporary shelters. Since 2016, ARCH has consistently reported numbers for Tokyo’s unhoused population almost two times higher than the official counts [6].

Even that number may not reflect the true reality. Both surveys leave out those sleeping in all-night internet and manga cafes.

As in every country, negative stereotypes about unhoused people continue to color public opinion. A popular YouTuber’s dehumanizing comments and the horrific murder of a 64-year-old unhoused woman in December 2020 reflect a belief that those living on the streets are burdens to society, unworthy of help or human dignity.

With the pandemic forcing more people onto the streets, paired with the dwindling number of public green spaces, what happened in Mitake Park will undoubtedly happen again.

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