Over 300 at Tokyo's Temp Worker Village

The ''year-crossing temp worker village'' was launched in Hibiya Park on Wednesday in front of the Imperial Hotel, one of the country's most luxurious hotels, to provide free food and shelter for homeless people including laid-off temporary workers who have been forced to leave accommodation provided by their employers.

A temporary tent village set up at a central Tokyo park has drawn more than 300 people without jobs or homes since it was set up on New Year's eve by volunteers for the New Year holiday period, organizers said.''People here are worn out due to the cold...an emergency shelter such as a gymnasium is necessary as soon as possible,'' said a leader of the organizers, adding they had requested the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry to act swiftly.After the request, the ministry decided to open an auditorium at its ministry building near the park until 9 a.m. Monday, given that the number of people who have no other places to stay reached around 270. The Chuo Ward office is also thought to be preparing to set aside some places to accommodate some people.Click here to read the rest of this article.