Despite being a prosperous country, Japan still has areas of poverty and economic struggle. The poverty rate in Japan was 15.7% in 2017, which means approximately 20 million people live below the poverty line. Rural areas rely heavily on agriculture and have fewer job opportunities than urban areas, leading to a higher poverty rate. Urban areas also have pockets of poverty due to retirement, fixed incomes, and single-parent households. Low-wage workers struggle with the high cost of living and lack access to affordable housing or medical care. Homelessness is another issue affecting some people in Japan due to job loss, mental illness, and family breakdowns. Access to quality education and healthcare can be limited for those living in poverty. Although the Japanese government has a welfare system that provides assistance to those in need, some people may not be aware of available resources or feel ashamed to ask for help. The working poor is becoming more prevalent due to a rise in non-regular employment contracts and low wages. Social