Mar 12 β€’ 09:55 UTC πŸ‡―πŸ‡΅ Japan Asahi Shimbun (JP)

Bipartisan Parliamentary Alliance Established to Support Youth without Places

A bipartisan parliamentary alliance has been established in Japan to support socially isolated youth and address issues related to their survival and potential involvement in crime.

On December 12, a bipartisan alliance of lawmakers in Japan was formed to support young people who find themselves socially isolated and without stable homes or jobs. The initiative, known as the 'Young Placeless Members of Parliament Federation,' aims to provide practical assistance to young individuals who often face dire circumstances and may resort to illegal activities, like underground work, due to lack of options. With around 60 lawmakers from various political parties participating in the inaugural meeting held at the House of Representatives, the alliance seeks to facilitate dialogue and explore support strategies alongside civil organizations and local government leaders.

The focus of the alliance is on youth aged between their teens and mid-twenties, a demographic that often falls through the gaps in social support systems, especially those over 18, who are legally considered adults but may lack the means to achieve economic independence. It is reported that a significant portion of this age groupβ€”about 16%β€”has previously engaged in informal job markets, commonly referred to as 'dark part-time jobs,' highlighting the urgent need for structured support systems that can address their unique challenges.

The alliance plans to work collaboratively with various stakeholders, including non-profit organizations focused on youth support and experts from economic sectors, to devise comprehensive policies. The overarching goal is to develop measures that prevent young people from falling into social isolation or criminal activities and promote better living and working conditions for them, addressing what has been termed the 'gap in services' for young adults in Japan.

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