TOKYO: Thousands of homeless “net café refugees” in Japan risk being turfed out onto the streets as the coronavirus pandemic forces the sudden closure of their uniquely Japanese 24/7 comic book havens. The ubiquitous all-night internet and manga (comic book) cafés offer couches, computers, comics, soft drinks and shower facilities for an overnight stay typically priced around 2,000 yen ($18). Some local authorities are now opening shelters to accommodate net café refugees and keep them from sleeping out in the open. His net café informed him at the weekend it would be closing because of state of emergency measures in Japan to stem the spread of the coronavirus. “I used to go to work from net cafés… now I sometimes have a job, sometimes not, due to the coronavirus,” he said, adding that it was nearly impossible to find a permanent job at his age.

Source: Manila Times April 15, 2020 16:29 UTC