Under-performance among working-class boys has become a particular concern for the government, because it is associated with high rates of vagrancy and crime.
However, the recession has played its part in the recent surge in vagrancy in Japanese cities, especially with the collapse in demand for day labourers.
Other figures show that begging and vagrancy cases are down by 80% in the drink-free zone and anti-social nuisance and noise rates have fallen by 10% and 15% respectively.