Homeless
Osaka homeless dying from neglect
"The bodies of 1,052 homeless people were found after they died from illness, starvation, bitter coldness or committed suicide in Osaka Prefecture in a five-year period until 2004, according to a government survey.
Members of a Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare panel who carried out the survey on homeless people in the prefecture said that death could have been avoided in many cases.
"I think many of the deaths could have been prevented. Medical treatment, including mental care programs, should be implemented immediately," said Ryoji Matoba, professor on forensic medicine at Osaka University.
In cooperation with Osaka Prefectural Police, panel members investigated 50,000 cases of people who died in uncertain circumstances in the prefecture between 2000 and 2004. They learned that 1,052 of them were homeless people and that 70 percent of them died of illness.
A total of 38 died of starvation and 76 were frozen to death, while members believe that 122 others committed suicide, showing the need for mental care programs..."
Mainichi Shimbun, Japan, April 16, 2005
"The bodies of 1,052 homeless people were found after they died from illness, starvation, bitter coldness or committed suicide in Osaka Prefecture in a five-year period until 2004, according to a government survey.
Members of a Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare panel who carried out the survey on homeless people in the prefecture said that death could have been avoided in many cases.
"I think many of the deaths could have been prevented. Medical treatment, including mental care programs, should be implemented immediately," said Ryoji Matoba, professor on forensic medicine at Osaka University.
In cooperation with Osaka Prefectural Police, panel members investigated 50,000 cases of people who died in uncertain circumstances in the prefecture between 2000 and 2004. They learned that 1,052 of them were homeless people and that 70 percent of them died of illness.
A total of 38 died of starvation and 76 were frozen to death, while members believe that 122 others committed suicide, showing the need for mental care programs..."
Mainichi Shimbun, Japan, April 16, 2005
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