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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Japanese comedian juggles part-time jobs to survive

Duration: 01:18s 0 shares 1 views

Japanese comedian juggles part-time jobs to survive
Japanese comedian juggles part-time jobs to survive

Before Japan's lockdown, Taiga Fukutani used to perform at events and show pubs, and has also appeared on TV.

But after his entertainment work dried up from mid-March, and he's now forced to make ends meet with jobs outside his industry.

Libby Hogan has more.

Dressed up like Elvis, Taiga Fukutani is usually seen rocking and rolling on the street.

But his latest act is working as a deliveryman for Uber Eats, to make ends meet during Japan's lockdown.

(SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) JAPANESE COMEDIAN, TAIGA FUKUTANI, SAYING: "I have zero gigs as an entertainer now.

Live theatres and show pubs are all closed." (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) JAPANESE COMEDIAN, TAIGA FUKUTANI, SAYING: "Life is very hard.

My income is a quarter (of what I used to make)." The 44-year-old's quota is five deliveries per day before heading home to his wife and one-year-old son in their 35-square meter apartment.

But that's not all - he also hustles part-time at a curry restaurant.

But the restaurant's selling half as much curry as it used to - which means Taiga has fewer shifts there, too.

Right now - he only makes about $100 dollars a day.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has declared a state of emergency across Japan until May 6 urging a shutdown of pubs and clubs.

But there's no guarantee when the entertainment industry will be back on its feet again.

(SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) JAPANESE COMEDIAN, TAIGA FUKUTANI, SAYING: "I have no guarantees (from my entertainment jobs).

How far is the government going to believe me when I try to explain how much of my (entertainment) work has gone?

I don't know what to do."

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