Thursday, August 16, 2007

Net Cafe Refugees

Talking about lack of sleep, if I lived in Japan, I'd find this tempting:
Japan is launching its first study into so-called "Net cafe refugees," young people who live in all-night lounges and are feared to become a new class of working poor, an official said Wednesday.

Japan's omnipresent net cafes -- equipped with sofas, drinks, computers and comic books -- are designed for businessmen who want to slack off for a few hours or for commuters who missed their last trains home.

But Japan has been alarmed by growing reports of young day labourers who are staying in round-the-clock cafes rather than renting and living in apartments.

...A five-hour stay at an Internet cafe in Tokyo costs about 3,000 yen (25 dollars) with a meal served. Showers are available at 200 yen for 30 minutes and underwear is on sale.

...Sleeping in net cafes can be problematic "in terms of employment security, hygiene and development of job ability," said the labour ministry official.

No comments:

Post a Comment