How To Beggar

Why are there no beggars in Japan? I often saw beggars on a street in England. That was not the first time, but I could not help paying attention to them because they sat on the same place everyday. Oneday, I proudly told my friend “I don’t understand why there are many beggars in England. I have never seen them in Japan.” She asked me “Are there such kinds of people?” “No. There are people called “Homeless” who lives illegally in a park or under a bridge.” “Not inside like a subway station?” “They tend to build their own houses not inside but outside. If they built houses, they might be removed.” ”Are there no shelter to stay between winter?” ”Not enough” I realized that there were many beggars “who do not ask for money” in Japan and almost all Japanese ignored them. Homeless do not ask for money. They hide out of our sight; however, homeless should be beggars.

First, I am going to explain the definitions and differences of beggars and homeless. Beggars are persons who live and demand money on a street while homeless live barracks in a thicket or under a bridge. Common points of them are “no-working” and “living illegally.” And differences of them are “age” and “place.” The age of beggars is wide such as youth, women and etc. Meanwhile, that of homeless is mainly middle-aged and elder men. So, beggars exist whenever there is a person such as on a street, in front of a store and even in a train and ask for money. Homeless live in where it is difficult to be found.

Why do not homeless beg money? If they begged, they could a little money. Of course, it is one reason that begging on a street is regulated by some laws. In my opinion, that is not important. The most important reason is “shame.” Japan is sometimes considered as “Country of Shame.” According to”The Chrysanthemum and the Sword: Patterns of Japanese Culture” written by Ruth Benedict as a cultural anthropologist, Japanese likely decide their behavior with others. It means they do not do that others look to as disgraceful. They never beg money even if they are in a terrible situation. Their ethics depends not on the themselves but on others.

I strongly suggest that they become a beggar. In Japan, there are a lot of homeless who need money despite the fact that they cannot work because of physical and mental problems. They could get a little money if they become beggars. What is more, that can spot social problems related to homeless for public people. It is very important and effective merit. Invisible problem will become visible. They can eat warm meal and sleep well in a bed even if they arrest. Perhaps, they can contact their families or relatives.

Next year, Tokyo Olympic will be held in summer. It is the good opportunity to make people not only for domestic but also foreign know this transparent problem.