Japan is set to launch a study looking into the emergence of what is termed as the "net cafe refugees," or young day laborers who choose to live in the 24-hour internet cafes instead of maintaining an apartment. Japanese internet cafes number 3,000 nationwide and come complete with sofas, drinks, computers and comic books.
Authorities are concerned that these net cafe refugees could develop into a new class of working poor and set the rich-poor gap even wider. Staying in an internet cafe in Tokyo for five hours roughly costs around 3,000 yen ($25 dollars USD) and comes with a meal. Showers are available at 200 yen for 30 minutes and underwear is on sale.
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