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Local businessman in need of help

TOKYO, Japan -- On a chilly Monday morning, office workers in Idabashi are in a rush to be on time for work. Yet, if they would only look carefully, they would notice one businessman now living on the streets. His name is Takeo Murakami and he is asking for your help.

"...mmm...aneeemic...breathe difficult...call...gggg....110....hospital"

The pain in Murakami's voice is apparent as we interviewed him outside an office where he once worked. His suit is now sullied from sleeping on the street. His body is nearly lifeless as commuters politely step around his limbs. Yet, underneath lies faint traces of what appears to be his quickly fading human dignity.

Former co-workers we spoke to explained how Murakami once seemed destined for a successful career in the publishing business--until his own drinking problem eventually destroyed him.

"Yeah, Murakami seemed to have everything going for him, except the ability to drink alcohol," explained co-worker Kenta Yamaguchi. "The guy would physically get sick with one drop so he'd have to try to quietly drink a soda. His alcohol problem got so bad at one point that our section chief gave up and stopped inviting him to our bi-weekly study meetings at the Chomunga izakaya."

Shaking his head, Yamaguchi added that, "A guy like that just can't be trusted. No wonder they took his phone away and sent him to the Independent Study section."

Police were sympathetic to Murakami's case, yet acknowledged that there was nothing they could do without first getting him to go down to the police box to fill out a valid home and work address along with a number where they can reach him by.

Foreign bloggers have been quick to document Takamura's plight. The EL GAIJIN MECHA LOCO and other Japan blogs have already posted reports exposing the plight of Crazy Japanese Dudes Sleeping.

Members of Japan's minority Democratic Party have proposed legislation to help people such as Murakami, currently crawling to towards a green blur which may or may not be a public pay phone.

"It is imperative that we install a some form of system to help the public distinguish people on the ground who need help, and those who should just be left there," stated DPJ leader Ichiro Ozawa. "Mr. Murakami is a prime example of someone who is helpable, yet falls through the cracks.�E

Under the proposed bill, citizens would be issued color-coded bracelets divided into 4 levels, or "Kyuus."

Those who meet standardized testing requirements for "Level 1 Helpabilty" will be issued the 1-Kyuu yellow bracelet. The lowest rank of "Level 4" will be issued to non-helpables, such as the mentally ill.