Japanese Homeless, called 'Internet Cafe Refugees,' receive Government Support

The Japanese government will offer financial support, including loans for housing, to so-called "Internet cafe refugees," a class of homeless people taking shelter at 24-hour Internet cafes. Internet cafe refugees have emerged as a new problem in Japan in recent years. According to a government survey released last year, about 5,400 people nationwide had no fixed address and were staying at Internet cafes for more than three nights per week.