A Journey to Learn About Welfare and Social Inclusion

Overview

DeepDiveYokohama hosts the Social Good Study Tour titled "A Journey to Meet Creators and Artists," aiming to deepen intellectual exchange, explore opportunities for future collaborations and joint research, and gain insights into the possibilities of "new welfare."

Kotobuki-cho, Yokohama, was once one of Japan’s three largest yoseba districts (places where day laborers and job brokers gathered), alongside Kamagasaki in Osaka and Sanya in Tokyo. This 6-hectare area near JR Ishikawa-cho Station's north exit was occupied by the U.S. military for a decade after World War II and later saw the construction of many doya (simple lodging houses). Kotobuki-cho became known as a “day laborer’s town,” housing dock workers employed at Yokohama Port. During its peak from the 1950s to the 1980s, nearly 10,000 day laborers stayed there, and the area prospered. However, after the burst of Japan’s economic bubble and the ensuing long recession, demand for day labor diminished significantly.

Today, the average age of Kotobuki-cho residents is over 60, and many live on public assistance. The area has transformed into a welfare-focused community, with many care workers active in the neighborhood.

This tour offers insights into the lives of Kotobuki-cho residents, community movements, and ongoing initiatives, sharing both the challenges and potential solutions. Participants will also gain a deeper understanding of relevant policies while cultivating new perspectives on welfare. What does it mean to not have a place to sleep or food to eat today? Why is soup kitchen support necessary? What led individuals to experience homelessness? Walking through the area and engaging directly, participants will explore these questions and deepen their learning from the issues and lives of Kotobuki-cho residents.

We hope this study tour serves as an opportunity to discover possibilities for co-creation with DeepDiveYokohama. Guided by members who have been deeply involved in Kotobuki-cho’s community development, the tour introduces you to local players and facilities, shedding light on the past, present, and future of Kotobuki-cho.