- Title: Japanese comedian juggles part-time jobs to survive amid virus-caused downturn
- Date: 20th April 2020
- Summary: TOKYO, JAPAN (RECENT - APRIL 16, 2020) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) JAPANESE COMEDIAN, TAIGA FUKUTANI, SAYING: "My house is small so my child gets frustrated if he has to stay there all the time. I take him to a nearby park but I don't go anywhere on a train. I don't travel far, only in my neighbourhood." FUKUTANI RIDING BICYCLE TO DELIVER FOOD (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) J
- Embargoed: 4th May 2020 08:53
- Keywords: Japan Japan job cuts Tokyo Uber Eats comedian Taiga Fukutani jobless
- Location: TOKYO/ UNKNOWN LOCATION, JAPAN
- City: TOKYO/ UNKNOWN LOCATION, JAPAN
- Country: Japan
- Topics: Health/Medicine
- Reuters ID: LVA005CAFN3GN
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: For 44-year-old Japanese comedian Taiga Fukutani, waiting for his smartphone to ring for an Uber Eats pickup in front of McDonald's has become a new norm.
He said his quota is five deliveries per day around his Tokyo apartment to make a decent amount of cash.
Before the coronavirus, Fukutani used to perform at events and show pubs, and has also appeared on TV. He's known as a Rock and Roll comedian, dressed in a bright teddy boy jacket and styles his hair into a pompadour, reminiscence of an Elvis style, whom he says he's a fan.
But as the virus crisis deepened in mid-March, his entertainment work dried up and he's now forced to make ends meet with jobs outside his industry.
"I have zero gigs as an entertainer now. Live theatres and show pubs are all closed," he said.
Fukutani also works part-time at a curry restaurant a few times a week, a job that was a supplement to his income from comedy.
But sales at the eatery have fallen by half since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, which means he has fewer shifts.
He makes about $70 a day from his Uber work and another $30 from his restaurant shift, adding up to about $100 a day.
Fukutani is hoping to apply for the 100,000 yen ($927.10) cash payout and any other funding the Japanese government will prepare, but he's concerned if comedians or people who have non-conventional jobs will be eligible.
"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 (entertaining event) work has gone? I don't know what to do," he said.
Fukutani usually gets home around 5 pm to his 35-square-meter (376.7 sq ft) apartment where he lives with his wife and one year-old son.
Despite their somewhat cramped quarters, Fukutani said he's been trying to isolate his family at home to stay virus free, but it's been difficult not being able to go out.
"My house is small so my child gets frustrated if he has to stay there all the time. I take him to a nearby park but I don't go anywhere on a train. I don't travel far, only in my neighbourhood," he said.
Fukutani is one of the many entertainers around the world who depend on public gatherings for their performance jobs.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has declared a state of emergency across Japan until May 6 urging theatres, clubs, and pubs to close.
But there's not guarantee, when the entertainment industry will be back to normal.
"I just hope I can book more entertainment jobs. I want to be able to work again," Fukutani said.
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