An image
captured in Japan has sparked a discussion on
social media, showing a group of young people inside cardboard boxes while
asking foreign passersby for money. The photograph, which quickly went viral,
has been the subject of criticism, ridicule and concerns about the state of
Japanese society today.
Comments on
Japanese forums were quick to pour in, ranging from social impact to sarcastic
interpretations. Some users expressed concern about how this image
might be recorded in the future as a symbol of poverty in the Reiwa Era ,
while others pointed out that it is a reflection of the country’s “economic and
educational poverty”:
- " If this photo
appears in history books as a symbol of poverty in the Reiwa era, it would
be a terrible thing ."
- " This is a
symbol of economic and educational poverty ."
Some users
also criticised the inaction of local authorities , suggesting
that they should intervene to prevent situations like this:
- " Why doesn't
the Tokyo government control these things? "
- " Beating women
who engage in prostitution is okay ."
- « Even as a joke,
there were no such people in the Heisei era. I really think this is
terrible .»
- " The police
should take them away ."
On the
other hand, there was no shortage of opinions laden with irony, describing the
scene as a tourist attraction or a reflection of the decadence of today's
society:
- " This is like a window display of Asia that has become a tourist destination. What a happy ending ."
- " This is the
result of a completely ruined Generation Z. "
- " This is
Japanese-style hospitality, isn't it? "
- « VTubers are
online, but these people are in the real world .»
- " This is
normal in poor countries. It is not unusual ."
- " Foreigners
probably buy them as slaves ."
- « We are bringing
back the post-war period! Thank you, Liberal Democratic Party .»
- « These people
aren't originally from Tokyo, right? If they were from Tokyo, their
parents would have money. Are they from Chiba or Saitama, and they came to
Tokyo because they idealized it, only to end up doing this? »
- « Well, you can't
assume that they have a good relationship with their parents, or that they
are normal people either . »
Others
questioned the social context behind the photograph, reflecting on the
motivations of the young women and the possible destination of the money
raised:
- " If they get
money, what do they spend it on? Probably on men or nightclubs ."
- " Where are
these girls' parents? Don't they care what they're doing? "
- « Parents are
probably relieved. If they can survive on their own by selling their
bodies, it saves them trouble .»
- " Is it in the
heart of a father to want his children to live, even if they have to
become prostitutes? "
- " I'm surprised
that two people can fit in a cardboard box. Do these people eat anything? "
- " If someone
throws you 100 yen, how do you divide it among the four of you? "
- " Are they
trying to earn foreign currency because the Japanese yen is junk? How
clever ."
The photo
also sparked a debate about Japan’s international perception, with some users
concerned about how this could influence the country’s image abroad. One
commented: “ This is probably seen as street children by foreigners .”
Although
many criticised the scene, there were those who tried to justify the situation,
pointing out that “ begging is better than selling their bodies ”.
However, the vast majority agreed that the image reflects a deeper problem in
Japanese society today, from the lack of support for young people to economic
precariousness.
Source: Yaraon!
Copyright ©
2010 やらおん！ All Rights Reserved
