Support groups for struggling people in Tokyo are stepping up their activities for the New Year period, when day jobs and other means of getting by are often thin on the ground.

Members of nonprofit organization Tenohashi were seen distributing free meals to 400 people on Friday evening at a park in Tokyo's Ikebukuro district.

They also offered consultations to those who are out of work or homeless.

Tenohashi officials say some people cannot afford to pay rent due to rising prices, while others fell into debt or lost their jobs during the coronavirus pandemic.

The organization will be offering free food and consultations again in Ikebukuro on Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Tenohashi head Seino Kenji points out that the number of people lining up for food has not decreased even though the pandemic has subsided.

He also says rising costs have made life even harder for people on low incomes.

Seino says there is no shame in coming to receive food, and he urges anyone in need to come and visit.