The results of the latest survey conducted by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare show a continuing downward trend seen in previous surveys carried out in 2003 and 2007, which the ministry attributes to improved employment conditions in urban areas and to local government policies to help the homeless.

The ministry entrusted the three surveys to prefectural governments, with local government employees visiting parks, rivers and other locations to tally the number of homeless.

The total of homeless in January 2008 was 16,018 -- 14,707 male, 531 female and 780 of uncertain gender.

Homeless people were observed in every prefecture, with Osaka Prefecture logging the highest number with 4,333, followed by Tokyo with 3,796.

Between them, Osaka and Tokyo accounted for more than half the nation's homeless, while Aomori Prefecture recorded the lowest number with only two homeless persons recorded.

Tokyo recorded the most significant reduction in homeless numbers from the previous year -- a drop of 894 -- followed by 578 in Osaka Prefecture and 300 in Kanagawa Prefecture.

On the other hand, the number of homeless people was up by 33 in Okinawa Prefecture, and by 15 and 12 in Ehime and Fukushima prefectures, respectively.

An official said the ministry intended to analyze the reasons behind the increase in these prefectures.